Lung abscess - Symptoms, Causes, Images, and Treatment Options

Diseases

Highlights & Basics

Key Highlights

Lung abscess is a circumscribed collection of pus in the lung that leads to cavity formation.
Aspiration of gastric contents is the most common causative factor. Mixed microbial flora, including anaerobic bacteria and microaerophilic streptococci, are involved in abscess formation related to the aspiration of gastric contents.
Fever associated with a productive cough and putrid expectoration is a common clinical manifestation.
Diagnosis is based on radiologic findings of cavitation with an air-fluid level. Documenting anaerobic infection is usually difficult.
Treatment options include antimicrobial agents against aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, given alone or in combination.

Chest x-ray showing a right-sided lung abscess with surrounding infiltration

From the collection of Dr Ioannis P. Kioumis

Quick Reference

History & Exam
- Key Factors
- Other Factors
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Diagnostics Tests
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Treatment Options
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Definition

Epidemiology

Etiology

Pathophysiology

Images

Chest x-ray showing a left upper lobe lung abscess
Chest x-ray showing a left-sided lung abscess with surrounding infiltration
Chest x-ray showing a left-sided cavitating lesion with an air-fluid level
Chest x-ray showing a right-sided lung abscess with surrounding infiltration
CT of thorax showing a lung abscess
Chest x-ray showing a lung tumor with central cavitation
Chest x-ray showing an abscess-like cavitating lesion due to tuberculosis

Citations

Key Articles

Walters J, Foley N, Molyneux M. Continuing education in anaesthesia, critical care and pain: pus in the thorax: management of empyema and lung abscess. 2011 Dec 1;11(6):229-33.[Full Text]
American College of Radiology. ACR appropriateness criteria: radiologic management of infected fluid collections. 2019 [internet publication].[Full Text]
American College of Radiology; Society of Interventional Radiology; Society for Pediatric Radiology. ACR-SIR-SPR practice guideline for specifications and performance of image-guided percutaneous drainage/aspiration of abscesses and fluid collections (PDAFC). 2023 [internet publication].[Full Text]

Referenced Articles

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