Necrotizing Pneumonia With Extensive Lobar Cavitation

Cureus. 2024 Mar 19;16(3):e56437. doi: 10.7759/cureus.56437. eCollection 2024 Mar.

Abstract

Pneumonia occupies one of the leading positions in morbidity and mortality worldwide. It is frequently categorized depending on the site of acquisition. Here, we present a case of a young woman who was admitted to the Emergency Department (ED) with cough, dyspnea, fever, and progressive worsening associated with palpitations and hypotension. An initial x-ray was followed by a computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest, which revealed signs of extensive left lung pneumonia with pleural effusion. Despite initial improvement after antibiotic treatment, the patient's condition declined. A repeat chest CT showed evidence of extensive lobar cavitations, leading to suspicion of tuberculosis.

Keywords: cavitation; dyspnea; necrotizing pneumonia; pleural effusion; tuberculosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports