Mucus

  • Mucus is a thick, slimy substance
  • produced by cells lining the airways
  • helps to trap foreign particles such as
  • dust, pollen, and bacteria,
  • preventing them from entering the lungs.
  • sometimes excess mucus
  • caused by
    • allergies,
    • infections, and
    • smoking.
  • resulting in
    • congestion
    • dyspnea
    • coughing
    • wheezing,
  • Treatment options depend on the underlying cause
    • bronchodilators and
    • corticosteroids, as well as
    • lifestyle
      • quitting smoking and
      • avoiding triggers such as allergens.
40 year old female with SLE and congestive-cardiomyopathy. Axial CT (top row) shows a focal nodule that was connected to a bronchiole. Bronchiectasis with mucoid impaction and ABPA were radiological considerations. T2 weighted MRI (bottom row) shows T2 brightness confirming the fluid or proteinaceous nature of the nodule likely from mucoid impaction. Note surrounding mosaic attenuation suggesting associated small airway obstruction.
Ashley Davidoff MD TheCommonVein.net 002-CT-mucoid-impaction