Septic pulmonary embolism in Korea: Microbiology, clinicoradiologic features, and treatment outcome.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate the clinicoradiologic features, microbiologic data, primary sites of infection, and treatment results for patients with septic pulmonary embolism (SPE) in Korea.


METHODS
We retrospectively analyzed 21 SPE patients including "definite" and "probable" cases.


RESULTS
On CT scan, peripheral nodules were the most common lesions (89.0%), followed by non-nodular infiltrates (7.0%) and wedge-shaped peripheral lesions (3.2%). Cavitation and feeding vessel sign, more specific to SPE were identified in 10.4% and 6% of all the lesions, respectively. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed significant abnormalities in three of 13 patients with an additional finding of vegetation in only one of five patients when studied by transesophageal echocardiography. In 15 patients, primary sites of infection were found, and three causative organisms were isolated in 16: K. pneumoniae (8); S. aureus (6); and viridans streptococci (2). All patients received parenteral antimicrobial therapy with or without drainage of the extrapulmonary infection and 18 recovered.


CONCLUSIONS
Although the pathogens of SPE may differ depending on the primary foci of infection, early diagnosis and prompt antimicrobial therapy with radiologic or surgical intervention can lead to a successful treatment outcome.
Lee
Seung-Joon
SJ
Department of Internal Medicine and Respiratory Center, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, 50 Samduk 2-Ga, Jung-Gu, Daegu 700-712, South Korea.
Cha
Seung-Ick
SI
Kim
Chang-Ho
CH
Park
Jae-Yong
JY
Jung
Tae-Hoon
TH
Jeon
Kyung-Nyeo
KN
Kim
Gun-Woo
GW
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007710:Klebsiella Infections / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D007711:Klebsiella pneumoniae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D007723:Korea; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018805:Sepsis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents