Pulmonary abscess

Case contributed by Ahmed Abdrabou
Diagnosis probable

Presentation

Fever, chills, cough.

Patient Data

Age: 45 years
Gender: Female
ct

A large cavity is seen occupying most of the left lower lobe and shows thin (< 1 cm) irregular wall, air / fluid level and surrounding by areas of consolidation with air bronchogram

Case Discussion

The main differential diagnosis is empyema and cavitary neoplastic lesion e.g. squamous cell carcinoma. Many signs differentiate this lesion from empyema including acute angle with the chest wall, absence of pleura split sign, irregular wall and surrounding consolidation. The wall is relatively thin (< 1 cm) while the cavitary neoplasm usually shows thick wall.

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