Aspiration pneumonia. Strategies for early recognition and prevention.

ABSTRACT

Aspiration is the result of dysfunction during the oral, pharyngeal, or esophageal stage of deglutition. Depending on the type of aspirate, the resultant lung injury may include chemical or bacterial inflammation or obstruction of the airways. Tools for evaluation include roentgenography, upper GI tract studies, bronchoscopy, and esophageal pH studies. Medical management is primarily supportive. Because aspiration pneumonia has a high morbidity rate, prevention involving early recognition and modification of predisposing factors whenever possible is critical for improving outcomes.