Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41808029›Full record

ArticleBMC infectious diseases2026

Pediatric lung abscesses: a 13-year journey from diagnosis to treatment.

Asena Ünal, Özlem Özgür Gündeşlioğlu, Ferhat Can Pişkin, Kamuran Tutuş, Fatma Tuğba Çetin, Emel Bakanoğlu, Gökçe Oğuz, Ümmühan Çay, Orkun Tolunay, Derya Alabaz

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC infectious diseases, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Asena ÜnalDepartment of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Çukurova University, Adana, Turkey. asenaunal@yahoo.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2233-0513
Özlem Özgür GündeşlioğluDepartment of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Çukurova University, Adana, Turkey.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2202-7645
Ferhat Can PişkinDepartment of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Çukurova University, Adana, Turkey.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4092-1077
Kamuran TutuşDepartment of Pediatric Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Çukurova University, Adana, Turkey.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2469-9963
Fatma Tuğba ÇetinDepartment of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Çukurova University, Adana, Turkey.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0471-8939
Emel BakanoğluDepartment of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Çukurova University, Adana, Turkey.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7101-4616
Gökçe OğuzDepartment of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Çukurova University, Adana, Turkey.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7504-345X
Ümmühan ÇayDepartment of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Çukurova University, Adana, Turkey.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5803-878X
Orkun TolunayDepartment of Pediatrics, University of Health Sciences, Ankara Bilkent City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0714-6734
Derya AlabazDepartment of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Çukurova University, Adana, Turkey.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4809-2883

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundLung abscess is a relatively rare but potentially serious condition in childhood. It is characterized by a localized collection of pus within the lung parenchyma resulting from infectious necrosis. Although its incidence is low, it presents significant clinical challenges due to the risk of severe complications and the prolonged treatment course. This study aims to evaluate the clinical characteristics of pediatric lung abscesses. We also describe diagnostic methods and treatment approaches to contribute to improved disease management.

methodsThis study included patients aged 1 month to 18 years who were diagnosed with and treated for lung abscess at our center between 2012 and 2025. Data on demographic characteristics, as well as clinical, laboratory, and radiological findings and treatment outcomes, were obtained from patient files and hospital electronic medical records.

resultsA total of 33 pediatric patients with lung abscess were included; the median age was 8 years, and 66.7% were male. The most common symptoms were fever (78.8%), cough (78.8%), and dyspnea (39.4%). The median length of hospital stay was 34 days. Primary lung abscesses accounted for 36.4% of cases, whereas 63.6% were secondary and associated with underlying conditions such as immunodeficiency or bronchiectasis. Most abscesses were uniloculated. The most frequently isolated pathogens were Pseudomonas spp. and Staphylococcus aureus. All patients received antibiotic therapy, with a median treatment duration of 34 days. Invasive procedures were required in 30.3% of patients, most commonly percutaneous abscess drainage. The overall mortality and survival rates were 12.1% and 87.9%, respectively; however, all deaths were attributable to underlying diseases rather than lung abscess–related complications.

conclusionsUnderstanding the clinical spectrum and appropriate management of pediatric lung abscess is essential for reducing morbidity and preventing long-term complications. This study contributes to the current literature by providing an up-to-date overview of the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches used in this rare patient population.

Indexed as

Lung AbscessAdolescentAnti-Bacterial AgentsChildChild, PreschoolFemaleHumansInfantLength of StayMaleRetrospective StudiesTreatment OutcomeAnti-Bacterial AgentsChildInfectionLung abscess

Identifiers

PMID41808029
PMCPMC13088736

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.