DEFINITION
Lung abscess is a pus-filled cavity in the lungs are
overwhelmed by inflamed tissue and caused by an infection.
CAUSE
Lung abscess is usually caused by bacteria that are normally
present in the mouth or throat, but breathed in (aspirated) into the lungs and
cause infection. Often the bacteria comes from the existence of the disease in
the area of teeth in patients.
Infection usually occurs in people who:
·
Being unconscious or very drowsy because of the
influence of sedatives, drugs, or alcohol abuse
·
Having a nervous system disorder
·
Have a poor immune system
·
Have airway obstruction, for example, by a tumor
or a foreign object.
·
Getting an infection from bacteria entering
through the bloodstream or spread from elsewhere in the body that is infected
SYMPTOMS
Symptoms usually appear slowly. However, depending on the
cause, symptoms can appear suddenly. At first the symptoms resemble pneumonia
symptoms, such as fever, cough with phlegm, loss of appetite, weight loss, and
fatigue.
Sputum may contain blood and often malodorous, because
bacteria from the mouth or throat tend to produce foul odors. Patients also may
feel chest pain when breathing, especially if there has been an inflammation of
the pleura.
DIAGNOSIS
Diagnosis of lung abscess can not just based on the symptoms
resemble pneumonia and physical examination alone. Several tests that can be
done include:
·
Imaging tests, such as X-ray or CT scan of the
chest.
·
Sputum cultures, to discover the organism causes
abscesses
·
Bronchoscopy, to see if there is a blockage in
the airways
TREATMENT
If you experience the symptoms above, then someone needs to
see a doctor to confirm the diagnosis and get appropriate treatment. If a
person is declared the affected lung abscess, then treatment may be given
include:
·
Treatment for the causative organism. Drug
selection is determined by the condition of each patient. Treatment should be
done well, according to doctor's instructions until pulmonary abscesses
completely disappeared. This therapy may take several weeks or months. Things
that need to be considered in patients who respond poorly to treatment, among
others: airway obstruction by a foreign body or tumor; or infections caused by
fungi or bacteria that are resistant.
·
Spending abscess with a special hose that is inserted
through the chest wall, or the removal of the infected lung tissue surgically.
Surgery is usually only done if there is a poor response to therapy, the
alleged presence of cancer, or congenital lung disorder.
Most patients are generally able to recover. However,
therapy is not likely to succeed in those who are weak or have an impaired
immune system, lung cancer, or lung abscess is very large.
REFERENCE
- B, John G. Abscesses in the Lungs. Merck Manual Home
Health Handbook. 2012.
- K, Nader. Lung abscess. Medscape. 2013.
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