Lung Abscess (Collection Of Pus)
Description
Lung infections will sometimes develop infectious fluid and material that the body tries to wall off by forming an abscess. Alcoholism is the most common associated disease. Other diseases associated with the disorder are: necrotizing pneumonia, septic emboli, necrotizing cancers, and aspiration pneumonia. These infections are almost always caused by bacteria.
Symptoms
Chest pain, fever, cough, shortness of breath, cough with yellow-green sputum, weight loss.
Tests
A history and physical exam will be performed. Imaging tests are done to identify the abscess. A needle aspirate or abscess fluid obtained during bronchoscopy may be collected to identify the infecting bacteria.
- CBC
- Chem 12
- X-Ray
- CT Scan
- MRI
Treatment
Treatment includes intravenous antibiotics. Most abscesses will need to be drained. The method of drainage will depend on the size and location of the abscess and will either be done through the skin (percutaneous) or surgically. Small abscesses may resolve with only antibiotics.
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