There are two stages of primary lung abscess. What are they?
The stages of primary lung abscess are acute and chronic.
- I. An abscess is defined as acute when the duration of symptoms is no more than 6 weeks.
- II. An abscess with a longer duration is defined as “chronic”.
Three complications of acute stage of lung abscess are accepted as indications for surgery on emergency. Which are they?
Indications for surgery in acute stage of lung abscess:
- I. Bronchopleural fistula
- II. Empyema
- III. Bleeding
What is the management in chronic lung abscess?
- Chronically lung abscess (unsuccessful medical management over period of 8 weeks) is an indication for surgery.
What is the mainstay of treatment of acute lung abscess?
- The mainstay of treatment of acute lung abscess is systematic antibiotics.
- Most lung abscess report within 2 weeks to medical management and resolve radiographically between 2-5 months.
What does the lack of clinical response to medical therapy of lung abscess suggest?
- The lack of clinical response to medical therapy of lung abscess:
- within 2 weeks suggests the need for invasive culture techniques.
- fine needle aspirations to ensure that antibiotic coverage is appropriate
- bronchoscopy, if not already performed, to rule out endobronchial obstruction and re-evaluation of the diagnosis
The diagnosis “lung abscess” is suspected based on the clinical presentation. Which diagnostic techniques are needed to determine the presence of lung abscess?
- Radiographic imaging is generally required to determine a presence of a lung abscess with certainty.
- Posteroanterior and lateral chest radiography and CT scanning of the chest are the most frequently used modalities.