Lung abscess physical examination
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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
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.