Usually results from pulmonary embolism, but can be associated with sickle cell disease, vasculitis, angioinvasive infections, tumor or foreign body embolism, disseminated intravascular coagulation, bacterial endocarditis and pulmonary artery catheters.
Appears on chest x-ray associated a peripheral wedge-shaped opacity, but can present as a lung nodule or mass.
Most commonly present in the lower lobes of the lung and tend to be multiple.
Histologically feature coagulative necrosis of the lung in an area of pulmonary hemorrhage.
About 10% of cases of pulmonary embolism result in infarction.
Hampton’s hump is a peripheral shaped opacification abutting the pleura and indicating the presence of pulmonary infarction distal to a pulmonary embolism.