Lung Abscess Cause Pathophysiology Treatment

Lung abscess is refer as formation cavity of more than 2 cm in lungs. It consist of liqufied necrotic tissues, cell debris, pus and exudative fluid etc.

It is typically occur due to aspiration of food content in lung provoking lung infection, inflammation and swelling over lung tissue. Risk factors are alcohol, smoking, excessive use of sedation and anesthesia.

Cause

Lung abscess is cause by,

• Infection ex. streptococcal, anaerobic bacteria, fungi and parasitic infection 

Any infection in lungs stimulate immune reaction such as inflammation and swelling. This result in formation of pus, sputum and over exudative fluid. It further result in cavitation and liquefaction of fluid.

• Long term ischemia 

Long term ischemia mean deficit of proper blood supply to lung tissue and cell. It result in tissue damage due to low oxygen reach to lung cells. It further causes cavitation in lung tissue.

• Foreign material 

Foregin material comes via inhalation ex. Dust, air pollutant, pollen grain etc. It all obstruct airway causing lung tissue and cell damage.

• Necrosis of lung tissues 

Necrosis is refer as cell death. It can occur due to infection, aitoimmune response and due to ischemia. It result in formation if  ecrotic junk which get accumulate in cavity lead to lung abscess. 

• Blood clot 

Blood clot in vessels of lungs block the blood flow and damage lung tissues.

• Neoplasm

Neoplasm is formation of new mass of cell in lung. It may benign ir malignant. It obstruct airflow and damage lung tissue. 

• Iatrogenic effect 

It is called medication side effects. It result due to over use of medicine such as anesthesia and sedation which decrease muscle sensitivity of lungs. It further results in cell and tissue injury of lung cells.

• Aspiration of oropharyngeal secretions 

Aspiration of oropharyngeal secretion causes accumulation of sputum in lung. It can lead to lung abscess. It decreases function of lung and obstruct in airway.

• Internal injury or bledding 

Internal injury occurs in trauma and accudents to lung cell and tissue result in low function. It cause bleeding, inflammation and swelling lead to form an abscess.

Symptom 

Lung abscess early signs are fever, productive cough and chest pain.

Sign and symptom

• Fever 

Fever occur due to infection activity, increase metabolic process lead to raise body temperature. 

• Cough with blood 

Severe lung abscess result in high cough production and pus formation. It lead cough come up with blood.

• Dyspnea (chest pain)

Chest pain occur due to low oxygen to lung tissue and cell. It lead to tissue hypoxia lead to cell injury and death. 

• Weight loss 

Weight loss is seen in severe lung abscess. It occur due to chronic illness to person. 

• Foul smell 

Foul smell is occur due to high sputum production and infection activity in lung. 

• Breathlessness or breathing difficulty 

Lung abscess obstruct airway blocking air to pass in and out. It lead cause breathlessnes.

• Night sweats 

Night sweats is occur due to decreased respiration in body at night. It also occur due to increased infectious activity & sputum formation in night.

• Clubbing of fingers 

Clubbing of fibgers is seen in severe breathing difficulty and in unconsciousness and anxiety patient.

Other signs are, 

• Weakness 
• Signs of chronic illnes 
• Shivering 
• Lethergy 
• Wheezing sound 

Pathophysiology

Diagnosis

Lung abscess is diagnosed by symptom such as breathing difficulty, chest pain, tissue hypoxia and fever.

Lung abscess is diagnosed by, 

• Lab Test 

Laboratory test is help to diagnose infection in lungs. It help to formulate line of treatment to patient.

In this, patient ask to cough up sputum from lung which after is checked for infection and other blood chemistry.

• Bronchoscopy 

Bronchoscopy is a procedure by which bronchoscope is insert into lung by mouth, attached with small camera. It help to visualize lung for tumor and abscess.

• Chest X-ray

Chest X-ray is use to visualize pictures of lung area to see tumor, extent of damage and spread of absces.

Treatment

Lung abscess is aim to maitain normal breathing and decrease lung abscess.

It is treated by,

• Antibiotic and antiviral medicine

Depending on infection present in lung amtibiotic or antiviral drugs are given. They are use to decrease bacterial growth and spread of infection.

• Antipyretic drug 

This medicines given to decrease elevated temperature of body.

• NSAID 

Non steroidal anti-inflammattory drug is given to decrease inflammation and swelling in lung. 

• Surgical drainage of fluid

Lung abscess produce excessively is drain out surgically from the body. It is temporary treatment given to decrease volume of abscess and improve respiratory function.

• Pulmonary resection 

Pulmonary resection involve removal of damage part of lungs. It is performed in severe lung abscess where lung tissue are completely damaged.

• Pulmonary physiotherapy

Puomonary physiotherpay involve active and passive excercise, breathing technique and performing excercise to boost blod flow to lunge 

• Diet

Patient should receive light diet that easy to digest. It decreases high metabolic process which increases food aspiration.

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