Differential Diagnosis for Cavitatory Consolidation in Lung with Hiccups
- Single most likely diagnosis
- Pneumonia (especially aspiration pneumonia or pneumonia caused by Staphylococcus aureus): This is a common cause of cavitatory consolidation and can be associated with hiccups due to irritation of the diaphragm or phrenic nerve.
- Other Likely diagnoses
- Lung abscess: A localized, suppurative infection within the lung parenchyma that can cause cavitatory consolidation and may be associated with hiccups if the abscess is large enough to irritate the diaphragm.
- Pulmonary tuberculosis: Although less common in some regions, tuberculosis can cause cavitatory lesions in the lungs and may lead to hiccups due to lung inflammation or mediastinal lymphadenopathy.
- Pulmonary sequestration or arteriovenous malformation: These rare vascular anomalies can cause recurrent pneumonia or hemoptysis and may lead to cavitatory consolidation, potentially irritating the diaphragm and causing hiccups.
- Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.)
- Pulmonary embolism with infarction: Although less likely to cause cavitatory consolidation directly, a pulmonary embolism can lead to lung infarction, which may cavitate and cause hiccups due to diaphragmatic irritation.
- Malignancy (e.g., lung cancer): Tumors can cause cavitatory lesions and may lead to hiccups due to direct invasion of the diaphragm or phrenic nerve.
- Rare diagnoses
- Hydatid disease of the lung: Caused by Echinococcus granulosus, this parasitic infection can lead to cystic lesions in the lung that may cavitate and cause hiccups.
- Pulmonary fungal infections (e.g., histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis): These infections can cause cavitatory lesions, especially in immunocompromised patients, and may lead to hiccups due to lung inflammation or mediastinal involvement.
- Wegener's granulomatosis (Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis): A rare autoimmune disorder that can cause cavitatory lung lesions and may lead to hiccups due to diaphragmatic irritation or phrenic nerve involvement.