Lung abscess

Lung abscess Definition

Lung abscess is a collection of pus within a cavity in the lung due to a bacterial infection. Certain bacteria ( staphylococcus, pseudomonas, tuberculosis, Klebsiella) are more likely to cavitate the lung and it may also cause abscess formation. Lung abscess may be caused by inhaling foreign material, usually food, drink, vomit, or secretions from the mouth into the lungs. Lung abscess is the end result of a number of different disease processes ranging from fungal and bacterial infections to cancer.

The abscess may be putrid or nonputrid, and often has a well-defined border. The availability of effective antibiotics has made lung abscesses much less common than they were in the past. Lung abscess is also known as Anaerobic pneumonia, Aspiration of vomitus, and Necrotizing pneumonia.

Lung abscess Causes

A lung abscess is a manifestation of necrotizing pneumonia, often the result of aspiration of oropharyngeal contents. Aspiration of foreign material (often the stomach contents) into the lung can be a result of disorders that affect normal swallowing, disorders of the esophagus or decreased or absent gag reflex. The immediate cause of most lung abscesses is infection caused by bacteria. About 65% of these infections are produced by anaerobes, which are bacteria that do not need air or oxygen to live.

The injured lungs can become infected with multiple species of anaerobic bacteria or aerobic bacteria. A collection of pus may form in the lung. A protective membrane may form around the abscess. Poor oral hygiene with dental or gingival (gum) disease is strongly associated with a putrid lung abscess. In children, the most vulnerable patients are those with weakened immune systems, malnutrition, or blunt injuries to the chest.

Lung abscess Symptoms

The clinical effects of lung abscess include a cough that may produce bloody, purulent, or foul-smelling sputum. Symptoms usually disappear in a few weeks with appropriate antibiotic therapy, but this disappearance does not necessarily denote cure.

The symptoms of the lung abscess may be included:

• Fever
• Fatigue
• Cough
• Chronic
• Anemia
• Weight loss
• Breath odor
• Chest pain
• Rapid pulse
• Wheezing
• Sweating, excessive
• Swallowing difficulty
• Shortness of breath
• Bluish discoloration

Lung abscess Treatments

All patients need rigorous follow-up and serial chest X-rays. Hospitalization may be required for management of the illness.

Surgery reserved for medical failure, carcinoma, significant hemoptysis, and complications such as empyema and bronchopleural fistula.

Patients may need to have their swallowing function assessed. If there is difficulty with proper swallowing, other methods of feeding the patient may be necessary.

Lung abscess is treated with a combination of antibiotic drugs, oxygen therapy, and surgery. The antibiotics that are usually given for lung abscess are penicillin G, penicillin V, and clindamycin.