title: Aspiration syndromes: aspiration pneumonia and pneumonitis.
abstract: Aspiration pneumonia and pneumonitis are common clinical syndromes that occur in hospitalized patients. Aspiration pneumonia occurs in patients with dysphagia and usually presents as a community-acquired pneumonia with a focal infiltrate in a dependent bronchopulmonary segment. Patients with aspiration pneumonia require treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics and management of the underlying dysphagia. Aspiration pneumonitis follows the aspiration of gastric contents, usually in patients with a marked decreased level of consciousness. Treatment of aspiration pneumonitis is essentially supportive; however, corticosteroids and other immunomodulating agents may have a role in these patients.
authors.affiliation: Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA. marikpe@evms.edu
authors.forename: Paul E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Marik
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003371:Cough / Q000503:physiopathology; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004750:Enteral Nutrition; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D011015:Pneumonia, Aspiration / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D012021:Reflex, Abnormal; D012307:Risk Factors; D013396:Suction; D014474:Unconsciousness / Q000150:complications
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D007155:Immunologic Factors