Question

37 year-old male presents with cough and a fever. What's the diagnosis and name three risk factors assiciated with disease?

Answer

Answer: Lung Abscesses

Lung Abscess

• Necrosis of lung parenchyma with pus and debris-filled cavities
• Caused by
  • direct injury (e.g., aspiration pneumonia)
  • secondary causes (e.g., tricuspid  endocarditis, bacteremia, etc.)
• Risk factors for disease:
  • Loss of airway reflexes (e.g., CVA, seizures, alcohol / narcotic abuse, etc)
  • Poor dentition
  • Immunosuppression (Diabetes, chronic steroids, etc.)
  • IVDA
• Gram positives (especially Staph), negatives, and anaerobic bacteria have been implicated.
• CXR may suggest, but CT scan better identifies abscess, necrotic tissue, empyema, or other pathology
• Start broad-spectrum antibiotics and address potential underlying cause 

 

References

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