Lung abscess is an uncommon but challenging condition to manage. Predisposing factors
including pulmonary aspiration and impaired mucociliary defense mechanisms increase
the likelihood of developing a secondary lung abscess. Aspirating anaerobic organisms
from the mouth leading to pneumonia and a secondary lung abscess is more likely to
be seen in children with neuro-cognitive impairment. The more likely anaerobic organisms
include Peptostreptococcus species, Fusobacterium nucleatum and Prevotella melaninogenica. These organisms may be difficult to isolate without specific anaerobic transport
vials and culture media. The rise of interventional radiology, higher positive culture
results, better targeted antibiotic regimes and a greater awareness of hospital acquired
pathogens have been significant is decreasing the length of hospitalization for children
with lung abscesses. The morbidity and mortality for lung abscess in children is vastly
superior to that in adult patients because of the lack of co-morbidities in the pediatric
population.
Keywords
Lung abscess - pathophysiology - microbiology - anaerobes - interventional radiology
- antibiotic therapy
