A clinical study was made of 158 cases of the lung abscess who were treated as inpatients at the Kwangju Christian Hospital in past 8 years, from September, 1968 to September 1976. The results were as follows:
1. The highest incidence was in the 5th decade and it was more common in males, who predominated in a ratio of 5 to one.
2. The seasonal incidence in order of occurrence was Spring, Winter, Fall and Summer.
3. In 31% of the 158 cases etiologic factor was unknown. In 27.2% the disease was preceded by upper respiratory infection and pneumonia. Twenty Six percent of the cases had chronic cough, and 11 % of the cases had a recent history of heavy drinking.
4. The order of frequency of the clinical mainfestations of the disease were coughing, purulent sputum, fever, chill, chest pain, dyspnea, blood in sputum, and frank hemoptysis.
5. The diseaes occurred in the-right lung in the 57.6% of the cases and 39.9% in the left. It was seen more frequently in the right upper lobe than any other lung field.
6. Sputum culture grew hemolytic streptococci, neisseria, klebsiella pneumonia, staphlococcus aureus, pneumococcus in order of frequency. In 68 cases more than two different organisms grew.
7. Sixty point eight ;percent of the 158 cases improved with medical treatment alone, and 48 cases (30.4%´). required surgery.
8. Of 82 cases who were treated in the hospital within 3 weeks of the onset of the disease, 45 cases (54.9%) recovered completely with medical treatment, whereas of 76 cases whose treatment was delayed past 4 weeks of the onset of the illness, only 16 cases (21.5%) recovered from the disease through medical treatment. After 2 months of intensive therapy, if the clinical manifestation and X-ray findings do not show improvement, surgical treatment should be considered.
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