10 Lung abscess Fig. 10.1A This radiograph demonstrates several ill-defined opacities in both lungs with central cavitation. This patient was an intravenous drug abuser who had endocarditis complicated by cavitating lung abscesses. Background Lung abscesses are associated with a poor prognosis if not detected and treated. They are caused by lung infection; aetiologies include aspiration, pneumonia, septicaemia and endocarditis. Clinical features Symptoms The symptoms are fever and productive cough with foul sputum: there may be a long history. There may also be weight loss. Signs Signs of endocarditis, intravenous drug abuse or dental disease may provide a clue to the aetiology. There may be associated consolidation or pleural effusion. Differential diagnosis Several lung processes cause cavitating masses: • Cavitating lung metastases especially squamous primary (see Chapter 16). The clinical presentation is different. Only gold members can continue reading. Log In or Register to continue Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Related posts: Permanent pacemakers Empyema Chronic pancreatitis Large bowel obstruction Brodie’s abscess Slipped upper femoral epiphysis Stay updated, free articles. Join our Telegram channel Join Tags: On-Call X-Rays Made Easy Aug 20, 2016 | Posted by admin in ULTRASONOGRAPHY | Comments Off on Lung abscess Full access? Get Clinical Tree
10 Lung abscess Fig. 10.1A This radiograph demonstrates several ill-defined opacities in both lungs with central cavitation. This patient was an intravenous drug abuser who had endocarditis complicated by cavitating lung abscesses. Background Lung abscesses are associated with a poor prognosis if not detected and treated. They are caused by lung infection; aetiologies include aspiration, pneumonia, septicaemia and endocarditis. Clinical features Symptoms The symptoms are fever and productive cough with foul sputum: there may be a long history. There may also be weight loss. Signs Signs of endocarditis, intravenous drug abuse or dental disease may provide a clue to the aetiology. There may be associated consolidation or pleural effusion. Differential diagnosis Several lung processes cause cavitating masses: • Cavitating lung metastases especially squamous primary (see Chapter 16). The clinical presentation is different. Only gold members can continue reading. Log In or Register to continue Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Related posts: Permanent pacemakers Empyema Chronic pancreatitis Large bowel obstruction Brodie’s abscess Slipped upper femoral epiphysis Stay updated, free articles. Join our Telegram channel Join Tags: On-Call X-Rays Made Easy Aug 20, 2016 | Posted by admin in ULTRASONOGRAPHY | Comments Off on Lung abscess Full access? Get Clinical Tree
