Introduction
A lung abscess is a circumscribed melting of lung tissue. In the process, abscess cavities are formed, which almost always have purulent contents. There are different causes for this, mostly in connection with infections.
Causes
The causes are usually severe pneumonia, pulmonary infarction, aspiration of purulent secretions (e.g. from a purulent tonsillitis), emphysema, bronchiectasis, bronchial carcinoma with tumor decay, after an accident with accompanying piercing or perforation of parts of the lung. Furthermore, abscesses located directly under the diaphragm (subphrenic) and spreading through the diaphragm can lead to a lung abscess. Scattering of purulent infections via the blood or lymphatic system can also lead to this severe clinical picture.
People with a weak and weakened immune system are particularly at risk for lung abscesses. Particularly thin people, malnourished patients or tumor patients should be mentioned here. The pathogen spectrum that leads to a lung abscess usually consists of staphylococci or pneumococci.
Symptoms
A lung abscess can be completely asymptomatic or accompanied by severe symptoms of infection. The abscess itself can grow slowly and remain unobstructed in its encapsulation from the pleura and airways, but the symptoms are primarily caused by the underlying cause. In most cases, it is a persistent pneumonia with the following symptoms: The abscess can grow slowly towards the bronchi or pleura.
If it opens up into these structures, it can very suddenly cause shortness of breath, coughing, severe pain when breathing and other symptoms. These symptoms are accompanied by severe bad breath. A renewed flare-up of the pneumonia, a pleural empyema, and a bloody sputum can be the result.
If the lung abscess exists without accompanying disease for a longer period of time, slight so-called B-symptoms can draw attention to the disease. These include fatigue, paleness, weight loss, night sweats and loss of appetite. This topic may also be of interest to you: What is the best way to prevent an abscess?
- Severe cough with sputum
- Fever
- Tiredness
- Chest pain
- Loss of appetite
- Shortness of breath
- Weight Loss
- Strongly limited general condition
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