A number of conditions can result in an acute or subacute lung cavity.
Patient selection: time course < 12 weeks based on clinical or imaging changes
Most causes are due to infections with bacteria and/or fungi.
Pulmonary nodules may be present with central cavitation.
Differential diagnosis includes:
(1) lung abscess
(2) necrotizing pneumonia
(3) septic emboli
(4) fungal infection (Cryptococcus, Coccidioidomycosis, Aspergillois, Mucormycosis, etc)
(5) Nocardiosis
