BULA, BLEB, AND CAVITAS

What’s the difference between them?

Pembimbing : dr Maisie Johan, Sp. Rad

Oleh : Cindy Lestari (2008.61.068)

Kepaniteraan Klinik RadiologiFakultas Kedokteran Unika Atma Jaya

Periode 1 Juni – 4 Juli 2009PK St.Carolus Jakarta

COMMON TERMINOLOGY

Bulla

Bulla: A fluid-filled blister more than 5 mm (about 3/16 inch) in diameter with thin walls.

In Latin a bulla was a "bubble, stud or knob." It referred to any rounded protrusion, particularly one that was hollow or cystic.

(http://www.medterms.com)

Bleb

Bleb: A bladder-like structure more than 5 mm in diameter with thin walls that may be full of fluid. Also called a bulla.

(http://www.medterms.com)

RADIOLOGY TERMINOLOGY

Lung Lesion

I. Cyst: air-filled space with sharply demarcated walls ≤4mm• Bulla: >1cm diameter; smooth wall <1mm

thick

• Bleb: usually <1cm diameter; subpleural or pleural, typically apical distribution

II. Cavity: air-filled space with a relatively thick wall >4mm or within an area of a surrounding infiltrate or mass

Bullae

Pathology : A sharply demarcated region of emphysema; a gas-containing space that may contain nothing but gas or may contain overdistended and ruptured alveolar septa and blood vessels

Bullae

Plain Radiograph: A sharply demarcated

area of avascularity within the lung

measuring 1.0 cm or more in diameter

possessing a wall less than 1mm in thickness

Bullae

CT : round, focal air

space 1cm or more in

diameter demarcated by a

thin wall usually multiple assocated with

other signs of pulmonary emphysema

Bleb

Pathology: A gas-containing space, within or contiguous to the visceral pleura of the lung

Radiology:A local thin-walled lucency, contiguous with the pleura, usually at the lung apex

Cavity

A gas containing space within the lung, surrounded by a wall whose thickness is greater than 1mm and usually irregular in contour.

This word should not be used interchangeably with abscess, which may exist without bronchial communication and therefore without cavitation

It necesssarily means that a cavity communicates with a bronchus.    

Cavity

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