Lung Abscess
A lung abscess is a localised area of necrosis of lung parenchyma with a cavity (usually 2 cm or more) containing pus or necrotic debris, caused by infection.
Treatment at a glance
- Amoxicillin-clavulanate, or clindamycin, for 4–6 weeks
- Add metronidazole to a penicillin when anaerobes are likely
Lung Abscess
- A localized area of suppurative necrosis within the pulmonary parenchyma, forming one or more cavities.
- Aspiration of infective material from carious teeth, infected sinuses, or tonsils (during oral surgery, anesthesia, coma, or in cases of alcoholic intoxication).
- Aspiration of gastric contents along with oropharyngeal organisms.
- Complication of necrotizing bacterial pneumonias caused by organisms like S. aureus , S. pyogenes , K. pneumoniae , Pseudomonas spp., and rarely type 3 pneumococci. Mycotic infections and bronchiectasis can also lead to abscesses.
- Bronchial obstruction , particularly by bronchogenic carcinoma, can lead to abscess formation within excavated necrotic tumor.
Read this in Lung Pathology — Must-Know
What our notes say
- A lung abscess is a localised area of necrosis of lung parenchyma with a cavity (usually 2 cm or more) containing pus or necrotic debris, caused by infection. (Lung Abscess)
- • Foul or vile tasting or smelling sputum is caused by o Anaerobic bacterial infections o Bronchiectasis o Lung abscess o Empyema (Examination of Respiratory system — Past Paper Questions & Answers)
- Parapneumonic effusion and empyema, lung abscess, sepsis and septic shock, respiratory failure and ARDS, pleurisy, pericarditis, lobar collapse, metastatic infection (meningitis, endocarditis, arthritis), bronchiectasis (long term). (Pneumonia)
- Recurrent infection, massive haemoptysis, empyema, lung abscess, pneumothorax, respiratory failure and cor pulmonale, amyloidosis, metastatic infection (brain abscess), sinusitis. (Bronchiectasis)
- Lung Abscess — Year 4 Internal Medicine (Respiratory) Notes (Lung Abscess)
- Differential: acute bronchitis, tuberculosis (especially with HIV), pulmonary embolism, lung abscess, empyema, asthma or COPD exacerbation, and HIV-related pneumonia (Pneumocystis). (Internal Medicine Respiratory CAT 1: 30 MCQs and 5 short answer questions)
Study material on Lung Abscess
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