Differential Diagnosis for Cavitating Lesion in Right Upper Lobe
- Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Pulmonary Tuberculosis (TB): This is often the first consideration for a cavitating lesion, especially in the upper lobes, due to its high prevalence worldwide and the typical presentation of TB as a cavitary lesion in the upper lobes.
- Other Likely Diagnoses
- Lung Abscess: A bacterial infection that can cause a cavitating lesion, often associated with symptoms like fever, cough, and production of foul-smelling sputum.
- Pneumonia (especially Staphylococcus aureus or Klebsiella pneumoniae): Certain types of bacterial pneumonia can lead to cavitation, particularly in hospitalized or immunocompromised patients.
- Lung Cancer: Though less common, squamous cell carcinoma of the lung can present as a cavitating lesion, especially in smokers.
- Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Wegener's Granulomatosis (Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis): An autoimmune disease that can cause cavitating lesions in the lungs and is critical to diagnose early due to its potential for severe morbidity and mortality.
- Septic Emboli: Can cause multiple cavitating lesions and is a medical emergency, often associated with intravenous drug use or right-sided endocarditis.
- Fungal Infections (e.g., Aspergillosis): In immunocompromised patients, fungal infections can cause cavitating lesions and have a high mortality rate if not treated promptly.
- Rare Diagnoses
- Rheumatoid Nodules: In patients with rheumatoid arthritis, lung nodules can cavitate, though this is less common.
- Parasitic Infections (e.g., Paragonimiasis): Certain parasitic infections can cause cavitating lesions in the lungs, especially in endemic areas or in individuals who have traveled to such areas.
- Pulmonary Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis: A rare disease that can cause cavitating lesions, typically in smokers, and is part of a spectrum of diseases involving abnormal proliferation of Langerhans cells.