Bronchogenic carcinoma masquerading as lung abscess

Abstract

Lung abscesses are necrotizing consolidation of lung parenchyma which usually require a prolonged course of antibiotics. However, underlying secondary etiologies of lung abscess such as malignancy should be sought for, especially in unresponsive cases. Clinicoradiological correlation often assists, however, bronchoscopy and histopathology eventually confirm the diagnosis. We present a case of lung abscess who after initial response to antibiotics was subsequently diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma of the lung.