Lung abscess

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

(Redirected from Pulmonary abscess)

Lung Abscess[edit | edit source]

X-ray image of a lung abscess

A lung abscess is a type of pulmonary lesion characterized by the formation of a bacterial, fungal, or parasitic abscess within the lung parenchyma. It is often a complication of serious underlying conditions and requires prompt medical attention.

Definition and Overview[edit | edit source]

A lung abscess is a pus-filled cavity in the lung surrounded by inflamed tissue. It is typically caused by an infection, leading to the necrosis of pulmonary tissue.

Causes[edit | edit source]

Various conditions can lead to the development of a lung abscess, including:

Aspiration Pneumonia[edit | edit source]

Occurs when food, saliva, liquids, or vomit are inhaled into the lungs, leading to infection.

Necrotizing Pneumonia[edit | edit source]

A severe form of bacterial pneumonia that destroys areas of lung tissue.

Necrotizing Malignant Tumors[edit | edit source]

Certain types of cancer can lead to necrosis and abscess formation in the lung.

Wegener's Granulomatosis[edit | edit source]

Now known as Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (GPA), this is an autoimmune condition that can cause lung abscesses.

Symptoms[edit | edit source]

Symptoms of a lung abscess may include:

  • Persistent cough
  • Fever and chills
  • Fatigue
  • Shortness of breath
  • Chest pain
  • Coughing up blood

Diagnosis[edit | edit source]

Diagnosis of a lung abscess involves several steps:

Imaging Tests[edit | edit source]

  • Chest X-rays
  • CT scans

Laboratory Tests[edit | edit source]

  • Blood tests
  • Sputum culture

Treatment[edit | edit source]

Treatment for a lung abscess typically involves:

Antibiotics[edit | edit source]

Long-term antibiotic therapy is the primary treatment for bacterial lung abscesses.

Drainage[edit | edit source]

Surgical drainage of a lung abscess

In some cases, surgical intervention may be required to drain the abscess.

Complications[edit | edit source]

Untreated lung abscesses can lead to serious complications, including:

  • Sepsis
  • Hemorrhage
  • Spread of infection to other parts of the body

Prevention[edit | edit source]

Preventive measures include:

  • Prompt treatment of pneumonia and other lung infections
  • Vaccinations
  • Avoidance of smoking

References[edit | edit source]

Lung abscess Resources



Resources[edit source]

Latest articles - Lung abscess

PubMed
Clinical trials

Source: Data courtesy of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Since the data might have changed, please query MeSH on Lung abscess for any updates.



Contributors: Kondreddy Naveen