Medical image of the week: infected emphysematous bulla

• Main Authors: Beatty N, McKeown K, Hager KM, Scholand SJ
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Arizona Thoracic Society 2017-01-01
• Series: Southwest Journal of Pulmonary and Critical Care
• Subjects: bulla; bullae; emphysema; infected. pneumococcus; Streptococcus; pneumoniae; treatment; pneumonia; COPD; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• Online Access: http://www.swjpcc.com/imaging/2017/1/18/medical-image-of-the-week-infected-emphysematous-bulla.html

No abstract available. Article truncated at 150 words. A 65 year-old man with chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD), hypertension and alcohol abuse presented to the emergency department with complaints of feeling unwell and shortness of breath. He was tachycardic but otherwise hemodynamically stable, afebrile, and requiring 3 liters/min supplemental oxygen. Pertinent initial laboratory findings revealed a neutrophilic predominant leukocytosis (WBC 37.8 x 103 micro/L) with lactic acidosis (2.7 mMol/L). Chest radiograph showed a dense opacity within the region of the lingula (Figure 1). Follow-up CT chest confirmed a consolidation likely representing lobar pneumonia in the setting of severe bullous emphysema (Figure 2). A large fluid-containing emphysematous bulla (Figure 3) was present which was not visualized one year prior. He was started on broad spectrum antibiotics after peripheral blood cultures were drawn which revealed Streptococcus pneumoniae. Broad spectrum antibiotics were discontinued and patient was started on intravenous ceftriaxone 2g every 24 hours. He improved clinically and was discharged home …