Lung abscess

A lung abscess is a confined area of suppuration within the lung parenchyma. It is more common in alcoholics and in elderly, debilitated patients who are prone to aspiration, and in intravenous drug abusers. Males are affected slightly more often than females.

Lung abscesses belong to the broader category of lung infections, including lung gangrene and necrotizing pneumonia, with the latter marked by multiple abscess formations. They are typically categorized based on duration as either an acute abscess, which resolves in less than 6 weeks, or a chronic abscess, which persists for more than 6 weeks.

The incidence of lung abscess has declined in the recent past due to the greater efficacy of antibiotics in the treatment of lower respiratory tract infection, the universal use of endotracheal intubation in anaesthesia for dental extraction and tonsillectomy, and the decrease in childhood tuberculosis.

Reference

1. Kuhajda I et al. Lung abscess-etiology, diagnostic and treatment options. Ann Transl Med. 2015 Aug;3(13):183.