humulene and Emphysema

Unlike the well-documented effects of tobacco smoke on the lung, the effects of cannabis smoke remain controversial, the main bias consisting in co-consumption of tobacco. That said, the composition of joint smoke is close to that of cigarettes, containing many compounds that are carcinogenic and/or alter the respiratory epithelium. Confirmed respiratory effects in chronic cannabis smokers include aggravated chronic bronchitis symptoms, a cumulative effect with tobacco on COPD and emphysema occurrence, an increased risk of bullous emphysema, and pneumothorax with heightened risk of recurrence after pleural symphysis. Recent prospective studies have shown a negative impact on lung function, with not only damage to the airways, but also DLCO alteration and an accelerated drop in FEV1. Finally, cannabis smoking is very common among young patients with lung cancer. Its consumption could lead to a different lung cancer profile, potentially more undifferentiated and less accessible to targeted therapy. Questioning about cannabis consumption must be systematic and targeted medical care should be offered.

Topics: Cannabis; Emphysema; Humans; Lung; Lung Neoplasms; Marijuana Smoking; Pulmonary Emphysema; Tobacco Smoke Pollution

Background Global consumption of marijuana is increasing, but there is a paucity of evidence concerning associated lung imaging findings. Purpose To use chest CT to investigate the effects of marijuana smoking in the lung. Materials and Methods This retrospective case-control study evaluated results of chest CT examinations (from October 2005 to July 2020) in marijuana smokers, nonsmoker control patients, and tobacco-only smokers. We compared rates of emphysema, airway changes, gynecomastia, and coronary artery calcification. Age- and sex-matched subgroups were created for comparison with tobacco-only smokers older than 50 years. Results were analyzed using χ

Topics: Bronchiectasis; Cannabis; Case-Control Studies; Emphysema; Gynecomastia; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Pulmonary Emphysema; Retrospective Studies; Smokers; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Previous reports have indicated the association of marijuana and cocaine abuse along with prolonged Valsalva maneuvers and the use of positive pressure devices. In most cases, the use of a single drug has been related to barotrauma. We present an adolescent male who developed this complication after alternate use of marijuana and cocaine without positive pressure devices. The increasing problem of drug abuse in the adolescent population in the United States is known to all of us. Clinicians who deal with adolescent patients should include questioning about drug abuse in the standard evaluation of chest pain.

Topics: Adolescent; Barotrauma; Cannabis; Cocaine; Emphysema; Humans; Male; Mediastinal Emphysema; Pneumothorax; Subcutaneous Emphysema; Substance-Related Disorders; Valsalva Maneuver

Topics: Autopsy; Bronchitis; Cannabis; Dyspnea; Emphysema; Female; Germany, West; Humans; Occupational Diseases; Pneumoconiosis; Pulmonary Fibrosis; Radiography; Textile Industry