Evaluation of endobronchial volatile sulfur compounds for rapid diagnosis of lung abscesses caused by obligate anaerobes using Oral Chroma: A pilot study.

Endobronchial volatile sulfur compounds in patients with lung abscess or lung cancer were measured using the Oral Chroma gas chromatograph. High levels of hydrogen sulfide and methyl mercaptan were observed in some patients with lung abscess but not in patients with lung cancer. Measuring endobronchial volatile sulfur compounds could be useful for the rapid diagnosis of lung abscess caused by obligate anaerobes.