Lung bleb

Lung bleb. H&E stain.

Lung bleb, also pulmonary bleb, are benign cystic lung lesions.

Lung bulla and lung bullae redirect to this article.

General

• Benign.
• Risk for pneumothorax.

Clinical history:

• +/-Smoking.

Gross

Cystic lesions:

• Bleb <=1 cm.
• Bulla >1 cm, wall-thickness <= 1 mm.

Microscopic

Features:

• Thin-wall cystic lesions.
  • Blebs are entirely intrapleural.

DDx:

• Emphysema.
• Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM).

Images

• 

  Lung bleb - extremely low mag. (WC)

Sign out

Lung, Left Upper Lobe, Lobectomy:
- SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA.
-- Margins clear.
-- See tumour summary.
- Two lymph nodes NEGATIVE for malignancy (0/2).
- Emphysematous changes and bullous disease/belbs.

Note:

• Using "bullous disease/belbs" skates around the size criteria that differentiates belbs from bullae.

Block letters

BLEBS, APEX OF THE LEFT LUNG, WEDGE RESECTION:
- BENIGN LUNG BLEBS.
- ABUNDANT PIGMENTED AIRSPACE MACROPHAGES.
- NEGATIVE FOR MALIGNANCY.

Micro

The sections show peripheral lung with large dilated air spaces, surrounded by thin walls and lined by respiratory-type epithelium. Pigmented airspace macrophages are increased (smoker's macrophages). Focal fibrous pleural thickening is present. No significant inflammation is present. No interstitial fibrosis is present.

See also

• Birt–Hogg–Dubé syndrome.