Case 181 -- Lung Abscess

Contributed by Octavia Graur, MD, PhD and Robert E Lee, MD
Published on line in March 1999


PATIENT HISTORY:

This 39 year old white man had a past medical history significant for poorly controlled non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus diagnosed 4 years ago, cachexia and heavy tobacco abuse. He was admitted to the hospital with respiratory complaints and diabetic ketoacidosis and was diagnosed with lung abscess. Bronchial washings were positive for Rhizopus species. He received antifungal therapy, but in spite of aggressive treatment, he continued to have elevated the white cell count and positive bronchial washing cultures. He died approximately 6 weeks after the onset of symptoms during an episode of hemoptysis. An autopsy was authorized.

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FINAL DIAGNOSIS


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