Aspiration "pneumonia"

Small food particles were aspirated by this patient with Friedreich ataxia.  Foreign body giant cells have engulfed foreign particles.  Initially, there may be hemorrhage and an acute inflammatory infiltrate. Within 3-4 days granulomas appear after an earlier intermediate phase of macrophage response.

Aspiration pneumonia is most frequent in patients who have undergone anesthesia, patients in coma, and patients with acute alcoholism, i.e. any debilitating condition in which the cough reflex is impaired. Many pathogens can be involved including S. aureus, gram-negative organisms, and anaerobes which inhabit the oral cavity.

This patient developed aspiration pneumonia which resulted in abscess formation. 

Aspiration pneumonia is most frequent in patients who have undergone anesthesia, patients in coma, and patients with acute alcoholism, i.e. any debilitating condition in which the cough reflex is impaired. Many pathogens can be involved including S. aureus, gram-negative organisms, and anaerobes which inhabit the oral cavity.

From the slide collection of the late Dr. Charles Kuhn