Lung Abscess

Abstract

Lung abscess is usually observed in patients with chronic disorders including impaired consciousness or immunosuppresants conditions that lead to repetitive aspiration attacks. The common site of involvement is apical segment of lower lobes. Fever, prolonged cough and foul-smelling sputum are frequent symptoms. Diagnosis is based on physical examination and acquiring detailed medical history that should be accompanied by radiologic studies that usually show mass appearance, air-fluid level or cavitation. Antibiotic therapy and respiratory rehabilitation with postural drainage are the mainstay of the therapy. However, patients who are unresponsive to medical approach may require percutaneous drainage or even surgical resection of the affected lobe. Prognosis of lung abscess is strongly related to persistence of abscess for more than two months, comorbidities such as malignancy, advanced age and size of the abscess.