Lung abscess

Lung abscess

Computed tomography (CT) scan of chest showing bilateral pneumonia with abscesses, effusions, and caverns. 37-year-old male.
Classification and external resources
Specialty pulmonology
ICD-10 J85
ICD-9-CM 513.x
DiseasesDB 7607
eMedicine med/1332
MeSH D008169

Lung abscess is a type of liquefactive necrosis of the lung tissue and formation of cavities (more than 2 cm)[1] containing necrotic debris or fluid caused by microbial infection.

This pus-filled cavity is often caused by aspiration, which may occur during altered consciousness. Alcoholism is the most common condition predisposing to lung abscesses.

Lung abscess is considered primary (60%[2]) when it results from existing lung parenchymal process and is termed secondary when it complicates another process e.g. vascular emboli or follows rupture of extrapulmonary abscess into lung.

Signs and symptoms

Onset of symptoms is often gradual, but in necrotizing staphylococcal or gram-negative bacillary pneumonias patients can be acutely ill. Cough, fever with shivering, and night sweats are often present. Cough can be productive of foul smelling purulent mucus (≈70%) or less frequently with blood in one third cases).[3] Affected individuals may also complain of chest pain, shortness of breath, lethargy and other features of chronic illness.

Those with a lung abscess are generally cachectic at presentation. Finger clubbing is present in one third of patients.[3] Dental decay is common especially in alcoholics and children. On examination of chest there will be features of consolidation such as localized dullness on percussion and bronchial breath sounds.

Causes

Conditions contributing to lung abscess
Organisms

In the post-antibiotic era pattern of frequency is changing. In older studies anaerobes were found in up to 90% cases but they are much less frequent now.[5]

Diagnosis

Pathology image of a lung abscess.
Chest X-ray and other imaging studies

Lung abscesses are often on one side and single involving posterior segments of the upper lobes and the apical segments of the lower lobes as these areas are gravity dependent when lying down. Presence of air-fluid levels implies rupture into the bronchial tree or rarely growth of gas forming organism.

Laboratory studies

Raised inflammatory markers (high ESR, CRP) are common but nonspecific. Examination of the coughed up mucus is important in any lung infection and often reveals mixed bacterial flora. Transtracheal or transbronchial (via bronchoscopy) aspirates can also be cultured. Fiber optic bronchoscopy is often performed to exclude obstructive lesion; it also helps in bronchial drainage of pus.

A subpleural abscess.
A subpleural abscess.

Management

Broadspectrum antibiotic to cover mixed flora is the mainstay of treatment. Pulmonary physiotherapy and postural drainage are also important. Surgical procedures are required in selective patients for drainage or pulmonary resection.

Prognosis

Most cases respond to antibiotics and prognosis is usually excellent unless there is a debilitating underlying condition. Mortality from lung abscess alone is around 5% and is improving.

Complications

Rare nowadays but include spread of infection to other lung segments, bronchiectasis, empyema, and bacteremia with metastatic infection such as brain abscess.[2]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Bartlett JG, Finegold SM (1972). "Anaerobic pleuropulmonary infections". Medicine (Baltimore) 51 (6): 413–50. doi:10.1097/00005792-197211000-00001. PMID 4564416.
  2. 1 2 "Pneumonia and Other Pulmonary Infections: Lung Abscess, Medscape". Archived from the original on 2007-10-11. Retrieved 2007-06-20.
  3. 1 2 Moreira Jda S, Camargo Jde J, Felicetti JC, Goldenfun PR, Moreira AL, Porto Nda S (2006). "Lung abscess: analysis of 252 consecutive cases diagnosed between 1968 and 2004". Jornal brasileiro de pneumologia : publicaça̋o oficial da Sociedade Brasileira de Pneumologia e Tisilogia 32 (2): 136–43. PMID 17273583.
  4. ↑ Tamparo, Carol (2011). Fifth Edition: Diseases of the Human Body. Philadelphia, PA: F. A. Davis Company. p. 367. ISBN 978-0-8036-2505-1.
  5. ↑ Bartlett JG (2005). "The role of anaerobic bacteria in lung abscess". Clin. Infect. Dis. 40 (7): 923–5. doi:10.1086/428586. PMID 15824980.
  6. ↑ Hirshberg B, Sklair-Levi M, Nir-Paz R, Ben-Sira L, Krivoruk V, Kramer MR (1999). "Factors predicting mortality of patients with lung abscess.". Chest 115 (3): 746–50. doi:10.1378/chest.115.3.746. PMID 10084487.
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