How are pneumatoceles formed in Pneumonia?
Pneumatocoeles form when the alveoli or lung tissue become inflamed and air-filled cavities develop due to the rupture of alveolar walls in severe pneumonia. This occurs when the inflammation causes a breakdown of the lung parenchyma, leading to trapped air and the formation of these cystic spaces.
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| Pneumoatoceles in CE CT chest |
Characteristic feature of staphylococcal pneumonias.
- Cavitation (single or multiple thick walled cavities) may be bilateral.
- Pleural effusion/ Empyema with or without branchopleural fistulas (Pyopneumothorx).
- Abscess formation.
Bacterial pneumonia are with cavitation:
Here is list of bacteria that form cavitary pneumonia:
- Staphylococcus
- Kleibsella
- Pseudomonas
- Anaeroic bacteria
Model MCQ
1. Pneumatocoele caused by:
a. E. Coli
b. Staphylococus
c. Streptococcus
d. P. carinii
Ans: ‘b’
Solution
Pneumatocoeles are thin walled cystic spaces that may contain air fluid levels is the characteristic feature of staphylococcal pneumonias.



