Restrictive lung disease

Restrictive lung disease (or a restrictive ventilatory defect) is physiological (usually spirometric) term given to a heterogeneous group of conditions that result in restrict lung expansion. It is not equal to but can be related to pulmonary fibrosis as extrapulmonary (e.g. thoracic wall conditions can result in a restrictive lung disease pattern.

Its etiology can be highly variable ranging from

• intrinsic - with lung parenchymal involvement: interstitial lung diseases or
• extrinsic to the lung - 
  • obesity
  • neuromuscular disorders
  • chest wall deformities
    • scoliosis: can lead to extrinsic restrictive lung disease from the diminution of lung volume under the convex rib hump and on the concave side, where the ribs impinge on the lung
    • excessive kyphosis
    • kyphoscoliosis 

Those with a restrictive lung disease pattern can often have decreased lung volumes, an increased work of breathing, and inadequate ventilation and/or oxygenation. Pulmonary function tests often demonstrate a decrease in the forced vital capacity (FVC).

See also

• obstructive lung disease