Intended for healthcare professionals

Rapid response to:

Clinical Review

Oral malodour (halitosis)

BMJ 2006; 333 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.38954.631968.AE (Published 21 September 2006) Cite this as: BMJ 2006;333:632

Rapid Response:

halitosis and lung abscess

I was surprised to see that this review of halitosis did
not mention lung abscess.

Most chest physicians(particulary the more senior} are
well aware of the very pronounced and foul smelling
halitosis associated with lung abscess to the extent it was almost
regarded as a diagnostic sign.

Gordon Archer


consultant chest physician


Alexandra hospital, cheadle, stockport, Cheshire UK sk8 2px

Competing interests:
None declared

Competing interests: No competing interests

27 September 2006
gordon j archer
consultant physician
alexandra hospital cheadle stockport