Lung abscess physical examination

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Aditya Ganti M.B.B.S. [2]

Overview

Patients with acute lung abscess may present with fever, cough with purulent sputum, gag reflex may be absent in patients with an underlying neurologic disorder such as stroke. Digital clubbing is present in patients with a chronic abscess. On examination of the chest, there will be features of consolidation. Abscess typically localizes in the upper lobes or apical segments of the lower lobes.

Physical Examination

Vitals

Fever
Tachypnea

Appearance

Patients are generally cachectic at presentation.

Oral Cavity

Dental decay is common, especially in alcoholics and children.

Neurological examination

Gag reflex may be absent in patients with an underlying neurological disorder such as stroke.

Lungs

On examination of the chest, there will be features of consolidation ^[1]

Dullness to percussion
Decreased breath sounds on the side of lung abscess
Bronchial breath sounds on auscultation
Inspiratory crackles
Localised crepitations

Extremities

Finger clubbing is present in one third of patients.

Reference

↑ Kasper, Dennis (2015). Harrison’s principles of internal medicine. New York: McGraw Hill Education. ISBN 978-0071802154.

Template:WikiDoc Sources

[1] Kasper, Dennis (2015). Harrison’s principles of internal medicine. New York: McGraw Hill Education. ISBN 978-0071802154.

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