A Member of the University of Maryland Medical System   |   In Partnership with the University of Maryland School of Medicine

Share

Email PageEmail Print PagePrint

Home > Medical Reference > Encyclopedia (English)

Toggle: English / Spanish

Neumonía por aspiración - Overview

Nombres alternativos

Pneumonía anaeróbica; Aspiración de vómito; Neumonía necrosante; Neumonitis aspirativa

Definición:

Es la inflamación de los pulmones y las vías respiratorias que llevan a ellos (bronquios) debido a la inhalación de materiales extraños.

La neumonía por aspiración ocurre cuando se inhalan materiales extraños (por lo regular alimento, líquidos, vómito o fluidos de la boca) hacia los pulmones o vías respiratorias que llevan a éstos.

Esto puede llevar a que se presente:

  • Una acumulación de pus en los pulmones (absceso pulmonar).
  • Hinchazón e inflamación en el pulmón.
  • Una infección pulmonar (neumonía).

Causas:

Los factores de riesgo para una aspiración o inhalación de material extraño hacia los pulmones son:

  • Estar menos despierto debido a medicamentos, enfermedades u otras razones.
  • Coma.
  • Trastornos del esófago, el conducto que transporta el alimento de la boca hasta el estómago (estenosis esofágica, reflujo gastroesofágico).
  • Tomar grandes cantidades de alcohol.
  • Medicamento que le induce un sueño profundo durante la cirugía (anestesia general).
  • Edad avanzada.
  • Insuficiencia del reflejo nauseoso en personas que no están despiertas (inconscientes o semiconscientes) después de un accidente cerebrovascular o una lesión cerebral.
  • Problemas con la deglución.

El material ácido que se inhala hacia los pulmones puede causar lesión pulmonar severa; sin embargo, no necesariamente lleva a que se presente neumonía.

  • Reviewed last on: 2/19/2011
  • Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; and Denis Hadjiliadis, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care, Unviersity of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

Referencias

Donowitz GR. Acute pneumonia. In: Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R, eds. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2009:chap 64.

Torres A, Menéndez R, Wunderink R. Pyogenic bacterial pneumonia and lung abscess. In: Mason RJ, Broaddus VC, Martin TR, et a. Murray & Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2010:chap 32.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
adam.com
Adam QualityA.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
adam.com
Connect with UMMC
Facebook Twitter YouTube Blog iPhone

Please rate the quality of this article.

Do you find this article to be helpful / informative?
              
Poor                                       Excellent

Do you have any brief comments on this page: (up to 255 characters)

© 2011 University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). All rights reserved.
UMMC is a member of the University of Maryland Medical System,
22 S. Greene Street, Baltimore, MD 21201. TDD: 1-800-735-2258 or 1.866.408.6885