What Are the Causes of Lung Abscess?
- Bacterial organisms like staphylococci, klebsiella, streptococci, etc., causes pyogenic pneumonia. Tuberculosis and fungal infections can also lead to an abscess, if not treated at the right time.
- Respiratory stenosis occurs by the accumulation of mucus, any tumor, or foreign substance.
- Septicemia leads to metastatic lung abscess.
- Bronchiectasis and aspiration of infected materials.
- Malignancy.
- Other respiratory problem like Wegener's granulomatosis, silicosis, etc.
What Are the Clinical Symptoms and Signs of Lung Abscess?
- Fever.
- Sweating.
- Expectoration of a large amount of purulent and frothy sputum.
- Cough.
- Chest pain.
- Foul breath.
- Hemoptysis.
- Weight loss.
Signs
- Rales sound is heard on auscultation.
- Finger clubbing.
- X-ray shows cavity or consolidation.
How Is Lung Abscess Diagnosed?
- Chest x-ray.
- ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) is high.
- CRP (C-reactive protein) is high.
- CBC (complete blood count).
- Bronchoscopy.
- CT (computerized tomography) scan if needed.
What Are the Complications of Lung Abscess?
- Hemoptysis.
- The infection spreads to other organs, like cerebral abscesses.
- Pleural cavity rupture.
How Is Lung AbscessTreated?
- Bed rest.
- High protein diet, vitamin supplementation, avoid excess fried and spicy foods.
- If severe anemia occurs by bleeding in sputum, then blood transfusion or parenteral iron injection might be needed.
- Postural drainage is encouraged.
- Bronchoscopy suction if needed.
- Oxygen is given if needed.
- Do culture and accordingly give antibiotics. Mostly, Amoxicillin, Levofloxacin, and Metronidazole like drugs are needed to cover broad range of bacteria.
- If malignancy is associated, then surgical resection might be necessary.
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