What is Lung Abscess? What are the Symptoms of Lung Abscess?

Lung abscess is an infection of the lung caused by microorganisms, consisting of a sac filled with pus and dead cells. Air and airway are inherently non-sterile environments. Abscesses occur as a result of aspiration of bacteria entering the body through the mouth into the respiratory tract. Symptoms and treatment of lung abscess were first described by Hippocrates. Before antibiotic therapy was available, one-third of patients with lung abscess would die, one-third would recover, and the remaining one-third would develop diseases such as empyema and bronchiectasis. At first, surgical treatment was in the first place, today they can be successfully treated with antibiotics. A hundred years ago, most patients with lung abscess were dying. Today, antibiotics have markedly reduced the death rate. Studies on improving oral hygiene have reduced the incidence of the disease.

What is Lung Abscess?

What does lung abscess mean? The infection focus in the cavitary air fluid level filled with pus and necrotic cells (dead cells) in the lung tissue is called “lung abscess”. It is usually caused by inhalation of microorganisms in the mouth and throat into the lungs. Sometimes it can also occur as a result of the spread of infection from another place through the blood. Lung abscess is acute if it lasts less than 6 weeks; If it lasts longer than 6 weeks, it is called chronic. It is classified as primary and secondary according to its cause. If the cause is aspiration of bacteria in the mouth and throat, necrotizing lung infection and weakening of the immune system; this is called a primary lung abscess. If the cause is bronchial obstructions, spread from elsewhere by blood, spread from infections in the chest cavity and accompanying lung diseases; in this case, secondary disease is mentioned.

What are the Causes of Lung Abscess?

The main causes of lung abscess are:

Conditions that cause aspiration of secretions in the mouth and throat:
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Tooth and gum infections

Nasal sinusitis

Unconscious patients

Gastroesophageal reflux disease

Frequent vomiting

Intubated patients

Patients with tracheostomy

Patients with paralysis

Alcoholism

Blood spread:

• Intra-abdominal infections
• Infection of the heart membrane (Infective endocarditis)
• Intravenous drug administration in poor conditions
• Infection of cannulas and catheters inserted into the vein
• Septic clot Throwing

Concomitant lung diseases:

• Bronchiectasis
• Cystic Fibrosis
• Bullous emphysema
• A Bronchial obstruction due to tumor, foreign body, or enlarged lymph nodes
• Congenital lung anomalies
• Infected lung infarctions
• Injury of the lung by impact
• With bronchi presence of a fistula between the esophagus

There is usually more than one bacteria in the lung abscess.

What are the Symptoms of Lung Abscess?

Initial findings of lung abscess are very much like pneumonia. similar. These are:

• Fever with chills
• Chest pain
• Cough (with phlegm and sometimes blood)
• Night sweats
• Weakness, fatigue
• Anorexia
• Weight loss
• Difficulty breathing
• Paleness due to anemia
• Badness
• If the abscess becomes chronic, clubbing

Symptoms of a lung abscess may appear gradually, over weeks. Initially, there may be no cough. The cough increases over time and becomes phlegmatic. In the differential diagnosis, tuberculosis, hydatid cyst and lung cancer should be considered. He then requests a chest x-ray and, if necessary, a lung tomography. Radiology is largely instructive. If necessary, the physician may request sputum analysis and culture. If a foreign body is thought in the lungs, bronchoscopy can be performed.

How is Lung Abscess Treated?

The question "How is lung abscess treated?" is often asked. Several methods are used for the treatment of lung abscess. These are:

• Antibiotics: More than one antibiotic combination is generally used in treatment. Antibiotic treatment continues for 3-8 weeks. Oral antibiotics are then administered. The duration of antibiotic treatment depends on the clinical response of the patient and the improvement in X-ray findings. On the contrary, it is not used in the current approach.
• Surgery: Surgical treatment with anatomical lung resection is required in patients who do not respond to antibiotics, especially if tissue thickening continues in the abscess wall, even if the patient does not have any complaints.

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  Lung Abscess Surgery

  Lung abscess surgery is preferred in approximately 10% of patients. The application is different in acute and chronic patients. Conditions that require acute surgery are as follows:
  

  • The patient has bloody sputum
  • Long-lasting sepsis (blood contamination) and fever
  • Fistula from the bronchi to the lung membrane
  • Discharge of the abscess between the pleura
  • The rupture of the abscess and the filling of pus and air into the chest cavity
  Chronic conditions requiring surgery are:
  • Despite 6 weeks of treatment no response
  • Suspicion of cancer
  • Presence of abscess larger than 6 cm
  • High blood leukocytes despite appropriate antibiotic therapy
  One of the lung abscess surgeries, lobectomy is the removal of the abscessed lobe of the lung. The success of lung abscess surgery depends on the patient's condition and whether the immune system is strong. Surgery may fail in elderly patients, in the case of alcoholism, and in malnourished patients. The mortality rate after surgery is approximately 11-28%.

  Complications of Lung Abscess

  Rarely, lung abscess may rupture and burst. In this case, the pus can spread to the lungs and chest cavity. Complications of lung abscess surgery can also occur. Complications that may occur if the abscess ruptures or there is a surgical problem are as follows:
  

  • Empyema: Inflamed fluid may increase around the abscess in the lung. This condition is called empyema. It can be serious and life-threatening. The fluid may need to be drained urgently.
  • Bronchopleural fistula: A connection occurs between the large bronchus and the pleura. In this case, the fistula is closed surgically or bronchoscopically so that the pus does not fill the pleural space. serious conditions such as.
  Is Lung Abscess Contagious?
  Lung Abscess Again It is mainly transmitted by aspiration of bacteria from the mouth and throat. Poor oral hygiene is the most important cause of the disease. There is no human-to-human transmission among the causes of the disease. Drugs that suppress the immune system are used to prevent organ transplantation in patients who have had an organ transplant. These patients with weakened immune systems are at risk for lung abscess. HIV is a disease that impairs the immune system and paves the way for the development of many diseases. These patients are also at risk for lung abscess. Autoimmune diseases are a group of diseases in which the body fights its own cells and tissues. These patients also have an increased risk of lung abscess. Patients who have recently received anesthesia, unconscious and paralyzed patients are also in the risk group. Large foreign body entering the respiratory tract and not removing it on time increases the risk of lung abscess. gets better with antibiotics. The cure rate is higher in primary lung abscess. If a lung abscess has developed for another reason, the chance of recovery is lower. We mentioned above the causes of secondary lung abscess development. Early diagnosis and treatment increase the chances of recovery. Elderly patients, patients with weakened immune systems, and those with alcoholism have less chance of recovery. If you and your relatives have symptoms similar to the ones we listed above, apply to a health care provider.

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