Reeder G S, Gracey D R
JAMA. 1978 Sep 8;240(11):1156-9.
Three cases illustrate that acute respiratory failure may be precipitated by spontaneous drainage of lung abscess or pleural empyema intrabronchially with diffuse aspiration of the contents bilaterally. This condition is especially hazardous if the cavity is large and the patient is debilitated or obtunded. The acute onset may mimic aspiration of gastric contents. Immediate studies of tracheal aspirate and roentgenograms of the chest should define the aspiration of intrathoracic abscess contents as the cause of acute respiratory failure.
三个病例表明，肺脓肿或胸膜脓胸经支气管内自发引流并伴有双侧内容物的弥漫性吸入，可能会引发急性呼吸衰竭。如果空洞较大且患者身体虚弱或意识不清，这种情况尤其危险。急性发作可能类似胃内容物吸入。对气管吸出物的即时检查和胸部X光片应能确定胸腔内脓肿内容物的吸入是急性呼吸衰竭的原因。
