Radiological and Surgical Evaluation of Lung Abscesses

Abstract A lung abscess is a pulmonary lesion characterized by central suppuration and necrosis in the lung parenchyma, leading to lung parenchyma damage and the formation of one or more large cavities. It is a well-defined area containing pus or necrotic debris within the lung tissue, resulting in a cavity formation, and after the formation of a bronchopleural fistula, an air-fluid level forms inside the cavity. This study was a retrospective study analyzing patients from Damascus hospitals (specifically Al-Mouwasat Hospital, Damascus). The files of patients diagnosed with pulmonary abscess were reviewed, going back three years from the year 2021/2022/2023. With the knowledge and approval obtained from the University Deanship. Comparison of CT and plain chest X-ray by time of symptoms to appear The time period from clinical symptoms until the appearance of radiological signs on CT is less than a month, 87%, and on plain chest X-ray, 65%.A section of the sample of pulmonary abscess patients diagnosed with Corona and it was considered a complication. Patients were 25 persons, which represents 17.3% of the sample. The was as a lump or cavity with thick, irregular walls and the formation of a gaseous fluid in all patients 100%. Upon follow-up and application of treatment, the abscess was characterized by its chronic development and slow response to antibiotics. By observing patients, we found that in patients who received drug treatment, radiological monitoring was carried out as the size of the abscess decreased: (within 6 weeks in 60%, within 8 weeks in 20%, within 10 weeks in 20%), while in patients in whom the abscess was ruptured and surgically removed, The CT image is close to normal within 2–3 weeks in most patients. Cases refractory to treatment and lack of drug response occurred in 23% of patients. There were also cases of recurrence, where the abscess recurred after applying drug treatment in 15%, and the abscess burst in 2%. The death rate is 5%, most of them were infected with other dangerous diseases such as Corona and kidney failure.