Aspiration pneumonia

For patient information click here Template:DiseaseDisorder infobox

Pneumonia Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Pneumonia from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Screening
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
Diagnostic Criteria
Diagnostic Algorithm
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
Chest X Ray
CT
Other Imaging Findings
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Prevention
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Future or Investigational Therapies
Case Studies
Case #1
Aspiration pneumonia On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Aspiration pneumonia All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Aspiration pneumonia
CDC onAspiration pneumonia
Aspiration pneumonia in the news
Blogs on Aspiration pneumonia
Directions to Hospitals Treating Pneumonia
Risk calculators and risk factors for Aspiration pneumonia

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Location

The location is often gravity dependent, and depends on the patient position. Generally the right middle and lower lung lobes are the most common sites of infiltrate formation due to the larger caliber and more vertical orientation of the right mainstem bronchus.

Patients who aspirate while standing can have bilateral lower lung lobe infiltrates. The right upper lobe is a common area of consolidation in alcoholics who aspirate in the prone position. Depending on the acidity of the aspirate, a chemical pneumonitis can develop, and bacterial pathogens (particularly anaerobic bacteria) may add to the inflammation.

Histopathological Findings in Aspiration Pneumonia

{{#ev:youtube|bTqgAfQv0p4}}

Imaging studies

Plain films

• AP portable chest images may demonstrate bilateral opacities in the middle or lower lung zones.
• On PA and lateral images, the opacities may be localized to the posterior segments of upper lobes or to the superior segments of lower lobes.

CT

• Aspirated low-density organic material such as mineral oil in the tracheobronchial tree or alveolar spaces cannot be diagnosed on plain radiographs, but they can be demonstrated and perhaps measured on CT scans.
• Opaque aspirates are also well demonstrated on CT scans.

• 
• 
• 

See also

• Dysphagia
• Meconium aspiration syndrome
• Nosocomial pneumonia