Fatal lung abscesses: review of 11 years' experience.

A review of the outcome of 440 patients hospitalized between 1967 and 1977 because of lung abscess showed that 41 died (case fatality rate = 9.3%). Major predisposing factors were present in many of the fatal and nonfatal cases. Advanced age and concomitant diseases were associated with a higher risk of death. Aspiration of contents of large cavities may have played a major role in the death of seven patients.