Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Septic embolus
Introduction
Overview
Overview
A septic embolism is a type of embolism that is infected with bacteria, resulting in the formation of pus. These may become dangerous if dislodged from their original location. Like other emboli, a septic embolism may be fatal.
Pathogenesis
Pathogenesis
Septic emboli most often originate from extrapulmonary locations which have been infected for a time. For example, a person’s intravenous access site, which is used to insert intravenous drugs, may become infected. When present in great number, septic emboli can coalesce and mimick a lobar or bronchopnuemonia. The infected site, combined with various coagulants that may be generated by the bacteria or the body, may then break off and enter the circulatory system, potentially causing a clot.
Identification
Identification
A septic embolism can be difficult to identify, as it is often attributed to other disorders or infections of the body. As a result, it may wreak havoc with CT scans. It can also be confused with lymph nodules, considering the similarity in shape and size. However, septic emboli usually lodge in the heart valves, where there are no lymph nodes.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]