Pneumonia, Empyema & Lung abscess Flashcards
Pneumonia pathophysiology [3]
An inflammatory response of the lung to infection with usually bacterial micro-organisms.
* Inflammatory cell infiltration of the lung parenchyma results in accumulation of fluid and micro-organisms, and production of purulent sputum.
* Development of consolidation impairs gas exchange and is usually associated with a fever, rise in inflammatory markers and the evolution of a systemic inflammatory response, which if untreated, leads to sepsis, cardiovascular compromise and multi-organ failure.
When is it pneumonia rather than LRTI?
If consolidation seen on CXR
What is bronchopneumonia [2]
Pneumonia affects lungs and bronchi
Patchy inflammation
What is lobar pneumonia [2]
Pneumonia fills entire lobe
More invasive organism
How can pneumonia be classified? [3]
Anatomical - lobar or broncho
Aetiological
Microbiological - type of organism
What are etiological [7]
Community acquired Hospital acquired Immunocompromised/neutropenic Atypical Aspiration Hydrostatic Cardiac failure
What are common community acquired pneumonia? [4]
S.pneumonia = 80%
H. influenza
Mycoplasma pneumoniae
M. catarrhalis - immunocompromised / chronic lung
What is common following influenza?
S.aureus pneumonia
What is HAP?
Pneumonia > 48 hours after admission to hospital
are associated with unusual and often resistant organisms, e.g. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, MRSA or Gram-negative bacteria, which can be difficult to treat and is associated with high mortality.
What are atypical causes of pneumonia (don’t respond to standard guidelines)? [4]
- an outdated term referring to pneumonia caused by atypical organisms that
do not respond to ‘typical’ antibiotics. - These organisms often use intracellular replication and therefore are usually not beta lactam sensitive.
Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Legionella pneumophilia
Chlaymdia pneumoniae, psittaci
Coxiella burnetti
What causes recurrent pneumonia [6]
Local obstruction - tumour
Previous damage - bronchiectasis
CF
COPD
Immunocompromised
In those with high alcohol consumption there is an increased risk of aspiration pneumonia. Alcohol
intake may also influence responsible organisms and disease course by relative immunosuppression.
What are the symptoms of pneumonia [4]
Productive cough, Haemoptysis
Pleuritic chest pain suggests pleurisy, pleural effusion or empyema.
SOB
Fever / rigors, Malaise
What is green / yellow suggestive of?
What are the systemic signs of pneumonia [2]
Pneumococcal
Signs:
Signs of sepsis
Hypothermia, confusion (elderly)
What are chest signs [5]
Crackles - focal, inspiratory, coarse or focal crepitations
Dullness on percussion
Increased vocal resonance
Decreased expansion
Pleural rub
When do you get bronchial breathing
Consolidation
Who are at risk of aspiration pneumonia [5]
- poor dental hygiene
- swallowing difficulties
- prolonged hospitalisation or surgical procedures
- impaired consciousness
- impaired muco-ciliary clearance
How do you investigate pneumonia? [7]
Bloods
ABG (if severe or sats low)
CXR
Sputum (MC&S, legionella antigen)
Urine (legionella & pneumococcal ag)
Pleural fluid aspiration (if pleural effusion)
BAL or bronchoscopy (if ITU or immunocompromised)
CXR signs of pneumonia [4]
Describe 2 signs
- Areas of consolidation due to inflammatory cells
- Patchy white opacity
- Usually LL, focal
- Not well defined unless whole lobe affected
- Air bronchogram sign - can see bronchi
- Silhouette sign - diaphragm loses contrast in LL or heart loses contrast in ML
What do you do for higher risk of atypical patients / complications [3]
Blood / sputum culture
Pneumococcal antigen
Urinary legionella antigen
Immediate management of pneumonia [9]
Oxygen if hypoxic
Analgesia if pleurisy
IV Fluids (if dehydration, anorexia, shock)
CPAP
Neb - SABA / SAMA to open up
Suction if needed
Anti pyretic
Antibiotic
Chest physio
What is standard Abx [2]
B lactam
Macrolide
Mx [2]
Abx CURB 0-1 [3]
0: Low risk and treat in community
1: do O2 sats + CXR
If sats low or CXR shows bilateral shadows = admit to hospital
Use beta-lactam
Amoxicillin OR
Clarithromycin / doxycycline if allergic
Mx CURB 2 [2]
Amoxicillin (beta-lactam) +
Clarithromycin / levofloxacin (macrolide)
Mx CURB 3-5 [5]
- If staph suspected [2]
- If MRSA suspected [2]
Admit to ITU
Coamoxiclav / Ceftriaxone / Tazobactam
+
Clarithromycin
Staph - Flucloxicillin +/- rifampicin
MRSA - vancomycin or teicoplanin