The differential diagnoses include COPD (emphysema, cor pulmonale,) and possible stage I hypertension.
4. My diagnosis for Mason is pulmonary emphysema, which is an obstructive disease characterized by the enlargement of airways beyond the terminal bronchioles with destruction of alveolar walls resulting in loss of elastic recoil and airflow limitation. Cigarette smoking is the main cause of pulmonary emphysema with signs and symptoms, including dyspnea on exertion, cough with scant mucus, weight loss, tachypnea, end- expiratory wheezes, use of accessory muscle, barrel chest, pursed lip breathing, and hyperresonant lung sound. These clinical manifestations have been seen or reported during Mason’s physical examination confirming his diagnosis
4. My diagnosis for Mason is pulmonary emphysema, which is an obstructive disease characterized by the enlargement of airways beyond the terminal bronchioles with destruction of alveolar walls resulting in loss of elastic recoil and airflow limitation. Cigarette smoking is the main cause of pulmonary emphysema with signs and symptoms, including dyspnea on exertion, cough with scant mucus, weight loss, tachypnea, end- expiratory wheezes, use of accessory muscle, barrel chest, pursed lip breathing, and hyperresonant lung sound. These clinical manifestations have been seen or reported during Mason’s physical examination confirming his diagnosis