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is a specific form of lung infection (
Pneumonia ) that develops when oral or gastric contents (including food, saliva, or nasal secretions) enter the bronchial tree. Depending on the acidity of the aspirate, a chemical pneumonitis can develop, and bacterial pathogens (particularly
Anaerobic Bacteria ) may add to the inflammation.
Aspiration pneumonia is often caused by an incompetent
Swallowing mechanism, such as occurs in some forms of neurological disease (a common cause being
Strokes ) or while a person is
Intoxicated . An
Iatrogenic cause is during
General Anaesthesia for an
Operation and patients are therefore instructed to be
Nil Per Os (NPO) for at least four hours before surgery.
Whether aspiration pneumonia represents a true bacterial infection or a chemical inflammatory process remains the subject of significant controversy. Both causes may present with similar symptoms.
The right lower lobe of the
Lung is the most common location of aspiration pneumonia. This is due to the anatomy of the bronchial tree and gravity: in patients who are upright, the bronchus serving this lobe is oriented almost vertically, leaving it at greatest risk to be the target of aspirated secretions.
