What is a pulmonary bulla? Is it serious?
Apr 24, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Xiao Ning
Introduction
Pulmonary bullae refer to air-filled cystic cavities formed within lung tissue due to increased pressure within alveolar spaces from various causes, leading to rupture and merging of alveolar walls. The severity of pulmonary bullae needs to be determined based on their size and associated symptoms. If the bullae are small and symptoms are mild, they are generally not considered severe; however, if the bullae are large and symptoms are significant, the condition is considered more serious.
In general, pulmonary bullae are also known as pulmonary blebs. Pulmonary blebs refer to gas-filled cystic spaces formed within the lung tissue due to increased pressure within the alveolar cavities, resulting in rupture and merging of the alveolar walls. The severity of a pulmonary bleb must be determined based on its size and associated symptoms. If the bleb is small and symptoms are mild, it is generally not considered severe. However, if the bleb is large and accompanied by significant symptoms, it may be more serious. If you experience any discomfort, timely medical consultation is recommended. Detailed analysis is as follows:
Some patients have small, isolated pulmonary blebs that minimally affect lung function. These individuals may experience no obvious symptoms or only mild symptoms such as coughing and shortness of breath, and they are generally not significantly affected during daily activities. If these patients can actively treat the underlying condition and control disease progression, their quality of life is typically not severely impacted.
When pulmonary blebs are large in size or numerous, they can occupy significant space within the chest cavity, compressing surrounding healthy lung tissue and potentially causing atelectasis, leading to marked dyspnea. Patients may feel breathless or wheezy even after physical exertion or while at rest, which can seriously affect their quality of life. In such cases, the pulmonary blebs are considered more severe.
It is important to avoid activities that increase intrathoracic pressure, such as strenuous exercise, breath-holding, or forceful coughing. Preventing colds and undergoing regular follow-up evaluations of lung condition are also recommended.
