<unk>  in a ventilated person with a central line and nasogastric tube Evaluation of aspiration is generally performed with a video fluoroscopic swallowing study involving radiologic evaluation of the swallowing mechanism via challenges with liquid and solid food consistencies. These studies allow for evaluation of penetration to the vocal folds and below but are not a sensitive and specific marker for aspiration. Additionally, it is difficult to distinguish between<unk>  and<unk> is.<unk>  is typically diagnosed by a combination of clinical circumstances (people with risk factors for aspiration) and radiologic findings (an infiltrate in the proper location). A chest x-ray is typically performed in cases where any<unk>  is suspected, including<unk> . Findings on chest x-ray supportive of<unk>  include localized consolidation depending on the patient's position when the aspiration occurred. For example, people that are supine when they aspirate often develop consolidation in the right lower lobe of the lung. Sputum cultures are not used for diagnosing<unk>  because of the high risk of contamination. Clinical symptoms may also increase suspicion of<unk> , including new difficulty breathing and fever after an aspiration event. Likewise, physical exam findings such as altered breath sounds heard in the affected lung fields may also be suggestive of<unk> . Some cases of<unk>  are caused by aspiration of food particles or other particulate substances like pill fragments; these can be diagnosed by pathologists on lung biopsy specimens. While<unk>  and chemical<unk> is may<unk> pear similar, it is important to differentiate between the two due to major differences in management of these conditions. Chemical<unk> is is caused by damage to the inner layer of lung tissue, which triggers an influx of fluid. The inflammation caused by this reaction can rapidly cause similar findings seen in<unk> , such as an elevated WBC (white blood cell) count, radiologic findings, and fever. However, it is important to note that the findings of chemical<unk> is are triggered by inflammation not caused by infection, as seen in<unk> . Inflammation is the body's immune response to any perceived threat to the body. Thus, treatment of chemical<unk> is typically involves removal of the inflammatory fluid and supportive measures, notably excluding antibiotics. The use of antimicrobials is reserved for chemical<unk> is complicated by secondary bacterial infection.
Aspiration pneumonia
Chemical pneumonitis
Bacterial pneumonia
Tuberculosis
Viral pneumonia
Pulmonary aspiration
Occult pneumonia
Pleural empyema