Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrognosis
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prognosis
Post-obstructive pneumonia is an infection in the lung that occurs due to a blockage in one of the airways. Behind this blockage, the mucus and fluids in the lung become trapped, leading to the infection.
This article will discuss the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of post-obstructive pneumonia.
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Post-Obstructive Pneumonia Symptoms
The symptoms of post-obstructive pneumonia are similar to the symptoms of typicalpneumonia, which are:
There can be other, nontraditional symptoms with post-obstructive pneumonia that may not occur with a typical pneumonia. These can include:
In healthy lungs, air is breathed in through the nose and mouth and then travels down into the lungs through a windpipe called the trachea. After moving through the trachea, air moves into smaller windpipes, called the bronchial tubes. Air then moves down deeper into the lungs into smaller tubes calledbronchioles. The bronchioles then transition into the air sacs calledalveoli.
It is in thealveoliwhere gas exchange happens. During gas exchange, the oxygen breathed in is distributed into the bloodstream, and carbon dioxide is removed to be breathed out.
After these airways become blocked, the mucus normally lining the airways becomes trapped. This mucus contains bacteria normally found in the mouth and airway tracts. It is possible for these bacteria to grow after becoming trapped in the airway.
When antibiotics do not treat the infection, further imaging tests, such as a chest X-ray or acomputed tomography(CT) scan, may be ordered to get a picture of the lungs for better evaluation.
Other diagnostic studies can include abronchoscopyor anendobronchial ultrasound. During these exams, a long thin tube with a light and camera at the end is inserted into the airway. The scope is passed down into the smaller airways of the lungs to look for blockages or abnormalities. During these procedures, biopsies (tissue samples to be examined in a lab) can be taken of any suspicious areas, and fluid samples can be obtained to document any source of infection.
The first treatment for post-obstructive pneumonia is often antibiotics, usually lasting for multiple weeks. The acute infection must be treated and resolved before your healthcare team will proceed with further treatments.
However, once the infection has been resolved, procedures to try to remove some of the tumor tissue blocking the airway may be needed.
These procedures can include surgery, radiation, laser therapy, or stent placement.
Surgery
During surgery, the affected part of the lung is removed. However, this is often only needed when there is a possibility of curing the underlying cancer, not in cases in which cancer is widespread.
Radiation
External beam radiation may be used for some people who may not be a good candidate for more invasive procedures. During radiation, high-energy X-ray beams are directed at the tumor tissue. This can shrink the tumor and allow the airway to open again.
Laser Bronchoscopy
During a laser bronchoscopy, a tube is inserted into the airway to the level of blockage. A laser is then used to burn the tissue that is blocking the airway and allow it to open.
Stent placement
If an airway is being closed off from a tumor surrounding the outside of the airway, a stent may need to be placed. A stent is usually made out of silicone or metal and is placed inside the area being compressed. The stent gives support to the airway from the inside, holding it open from the force being pushed from the outside. This can allow the airway to open again.
Post-obstructive pneumonia is a serious problem and can be life-threatening. It can lead to many complications, which can include:
The prognosis of treating post-obstructive pneumonia depends on many factors, such as the type of cancer that is causing the blockage, the overall health of the person who has it, and how they respond to treatment.
A Word From Verywell
Having post-obstructive pneumonia or knowing someone who does can be a stressful and scary time. It is important to follow all instructions from the healthcare provider who is treating it.
Be sure to complete all of the medications that are prescribed and discuss any concerns you have with your healthcare team. Report any worsening symptoms immediately. If you smoke cigarettes or use other tobacco products, quitting these products is helpful.
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Valvani A, Martin A, Devarajan A, Chandy D.Postobstructive pneumonia in lung cancer.Ann Transl Med. 2019;7(15):357. doi:10.21037/atm.2019.05.26American Lung Association.How lungs work.Abers MS, Sandvall BP, Sampath R, et al.Postobstructive pneumonia: an underdescribed syndrome.Clin Infect Dis. 2016;62(8):957-961. doi:10.1093/cid/civ1212Rolston KVI, Nesher L.Post-obstructive pneumonia in patients with cancer: a review.Infect Dis Ther. 2018;7(1):29-38. doi:10.1007/s40121-018-0185-2
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Valvani A, Martin A, Devarajan A, Chandy D.Postobstructive pneumonia in lung cancer.Ann Transl Med. 2019;7(15):357. doi:10.21037/atm.2019.05.26American Lung Association.How lungs work.Abers MS, Sandvall BP, Sampath R, et al.Postobstructive pneumonia: an underdescribed syndrome.Clin Infect Dis. 2016;62(8):957-961. doi:10.1093/cid/civ1212Rolston KVI, Nesher L.Post-obstructive pneumonia in patients with cancer: a review.Infect Dis Ther. 2018;7(1):29-38. doi:10.1007/s40121-018-0185-2
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Valvani A, Martin A, Devarajan A, Chandy D.Postobstructive pneumonia in lung cancer.Ann Transl Med. 2019;7(15):357. doi:10.21037/atm.2019.05.26American Lung Association.How lungs work.Abers MS, Sandvall BP, Sampath R, et al.Postobstructive pneumonia: an underdescribed syndrome.Clin Infect Dis. 2016;62(8):957-961. doi:10.1093/cid/civ1212Rolston KVI, Nesher L.Post-obstructive pneumonia in patients with cancer: a review.Infect Dis Ther. 2018;7(1):29-38. doi:10.1007/s40121-018-0185-2
Valvani A, Martin A, Devarajan A, Chandy D.Postobstructive pneumonia in lung cancer.Ann Transl Med. 2019;7(15):357. doi:10.21037/atm.2019.05.26
American Lung Association.How lungs work.
Abers MS, Sandvall BP, Sampath R, et al.Postobstructive pneumonia: an underdescribed syndrome.Clin Infect Dis. 2016;62(8):957-961. doi:10.1093/cid/civ1212
Rolston KVI, Nesher L.Post-obstructive pneumonia in patients with cancer: a review.Infect Dis Ther. 2018;7(1):29-38. doi:10.1007/s40121-018-0185-2
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