Lung abscess
(Redirected from Pulmonary abscess)
Lung Abscess[edit | edit source]
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]
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
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.
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Kondreddy Naveen