Lung abscess following a foreign body extraction

Lung abscesses are uncommon in the paediatric population, often manifesting with cough, shortness of breath, chest pain and fever. A high index of suspicion is imperative to prevent delays in treatment. This is a case report of a previously healthy child in early childhood with a 5-month history of recurrent left upper lobe (LUL) pneumonia. A foreign body was identified in the LUL and removed via flexible bronchoscopy. Following the foreign body removal, the patient developed a 9 cm lung abscess. A high index of suspicion for a lung abscess post-foreign body removal is important for early diagnosis and ensuring appropriate antibiotic coverage in patients with persistent fever. Intravenous antibiotics are essential in the management of lung abscesses. Consideration should be given to percutaneous drainage in situations where there is minimal improvement after 72 hours of suitable antimicrobial therapy or when the abscess exceeds 6 cm in size.