From abdominal discomfort to lung gangrene: A pediatric case of necrotizing pneumonia

Abstract

Acute abdominal pain is a common symptom encountered by most doctors in acute care settings. However, not all patients exhibiting a peritoneal response necessarily have an abdominal pathology. In some instances, the underlying issue may be entirely extraperitoneal. Pneumonia is one such diagnosis. While pediatric pneumonia is not uncommon, it can lead to unexpected complications and present a surprisingly broad spectrum of symptoms. This case report describes an unusual progression of necrotizing pneumonia that, despite aggressive treatment, advanced to lung gangrene, ultimately necessitating a lobectomy.

Keywords

• abdominal pain
• necrotizing pneumonia
• lobectomy