title: Aspiration syndromes: 10 clinical pearls every physician should know.
abstract: Aspiration syndromes are clinically and pathologically classified into three sets of disorders: (i) large airway mechanical obstruction caused by foreign bodies; (ii) aspiration pneumonitis; and (iii) aspiration pneumonia. In this article, we discuss the common clinical presentations, risk factors, radiographic features and methods of management of these disorders. We highlight recent recommendations and controversies surrounding the prevention of aspiration pneumonia in the critically ill patient. Finally, we review ethical dilemmas surrounding feeding and aspiration risk concerns in debilitated and demented patients.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA.
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Paintal
authors.forename: W G
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Kuschner
mesh_terms: D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003244:Consciousness Disorders / Q000150:complications; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D011015:Pneumonia, Aspiration / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents