Lung Abscess as a Complication of Appendicitis

Abstract

Appendicitis is an inflammation of the vermiform appendix (located near the base of the cecum). A lung abscess is a cavitary lesion containing necrotic lung tissue or an infected fluid component. It mainly occurs as a result of lung parenchymal disease. The patient was a 25-year-old male who first presented with a 1-week history of productive cough and chest pain associated with low-grade fever. He was diagnosed with a lung abscess as a complication of perforated retro cecal appendicitis. We report this in consideration of reducing the challenge of delay in diagnosis of this rare complication, and to avoid mistreatment specifically when the patient’s chest x-ray resembles empyema. Additionally, we encourage doing further studies on this topic.

Keywords:

• lung abscess
• sepsis
• perforated appendicitis

Ethics Approval

Mizan-Tepi University’s College of Health Science granted ethical approval for this study (RN/00429/2012).

Informed Consent

Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for their anonymized information to be published in this article.

Acknowledgments

The Mizan-Tepi University, specifically the Department of surgery, staff members, and study participants are all sincerely thanked by the authors for their technical assistance and guidance.

Author Contributions

All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation, or in all these areas; took part in drafting, revising, or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.