CXR Case 035

There is a left upper lobe thick walled cavity with an air fluid level and surrounding consolidation.

*There may be left hilar adenopathy. The rest of the lung field and pleura look normal

The acute presentation favors infection and abscess, or more unlikely infarct.

Cancer is unlikely given his age and more disseminated infection, e.g. septic emboli is unlikely as there are no other lesions.

TB should be considered given anatomical position, social factors and possibility of immune suppression.

*The hilar adenopathy is likely to be reactive from infection/inflammation.

A CT will help localize the lesion to the anatomical lobe.

A clever chest physio may then be able to lie and tip the patient in the appropriate posture to drain a lung abscess – also providing the all important sputum cultures!

Usually prolonged IV antibiotics are required, rarely surgery.