Aspiration pneumonia - Symptoms, Causes, Images, and Treatment Options

Diseases

Highlights & Basics

Key Highlights

Aspiration pneumonia is diagnosed based on clinical signs or symptoms of pneumonia in a person with a history or risk factors for aspiration.
Sputum or tracheal Gram stain reveals mixed flora.
Infection usually involves the dependent lung lobe.
Complications of disease include lung abscess and empyema.

Quick Reference

History & Exam
- Key Factors
- Other Factors
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Diagnostics Tests
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Treatment Options
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Definition

Epidemiology

Etiology

Pathophysiology

Images

Early ill-defined opacities of the right upper lobe above the minor fissure consistent with early changes of aspiration pneumonia
Increased opacification of the right perihilar region and superior segment of the right lower and upper lobes consistent with worsening aspiration pneumonia

Citations

Key Articles

Metlay JP, Waterer GW, Long AC, et al. Diagnosis and treatment of adults with community-acquired pneumonia. An official clinical practice guideline of the American Thoracic Society and Infectious Diseases Society of America. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2019 Oct 1;200(7):e45-e67.[Abstract][Full Text]
American Society of Anesthesiologists. Practice guidelines for preoperative fasting and the use of pharmacologic agents to reduce the risk of pulmonary aspiration: application to healthy patients undergoing elective procedures: an updated report by the American Society of Anesthesiologists Task Force on Preoperative Fasting and the Use of Pharmacologic Agents to Reduce the Risk of Pulmonary Aspiration. Anesthesiology. 2017 Mar;126(3):376-93.[Abstract][Full Text]
Kalil AC, Metersky ML, Klompas M, et al. Management of adults with hospital-acquired and ventilator-associated pneumonia: 2016 clinical practice guidelines by the Infectious Diseases Society of America and the American Thoracic Society. Clin Infect Dis. 2016 Sep 1;63(5):e61-e111.[Abstract][Full Text]

Referenced Articles

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