Lung abscess (collection of pus)

About Lung abscess (collection of pus)

Lung infections will sometimes develop infectious fluid and material that the body tries to wall off by forming an abscess. Risk factors include advanced age, poor health or nutrition, immunosuppression, and cancer. Other diseases associated with the disorder are: necrotizing pneumonia, septic emboli and aspiration pneumonia. These infections are almost always caused by bacteria.

Symptoms

Chest pain, fever, cough, shortness of breath, cough with yellow-green sputum, weight loss.

Tests & Diagnostics

A history and physical exam will be performed. Imaging tests are done to identify the abscess. A needle aspirate or abscess fluid obtained during bronchoscopy may be collected to identify the infecting bacteria.

Common tests: Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), CT Scan, MRI, X-ray.

Conventional treatment summary

Treatment includes intravenous antibiotics. Most abscesses will need to be drained. The method of drainage will depend on the size and location of the abscess and will either be done through the skin (percutaneous) or surgically. Small abscesses may resolve with antibiotics alone.

Medical specialties

Pulmonology · Thoracic Surgery · Vascular and Interventional Radiology · Pediatric Pulmonology

This page is educational content, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified clinician for diagnosis and treatment of Lung abscess (collection of pus).