Pleural empyema: Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox medical condition | |||
| name = Pleural empyema | |||
| image = [[File:Hydro_pneumothorax.jpg|250px]] | |||
| caption = X-ray showing pleural empyema | |||
| synonyms = Pyothorax, purulent pleuritis | |||
| specialty = [[Pulmonology]], [[Infectious disease]] | |||
| symptoms = [[Fever]], [[chest pain]], [[cough]], [[dyspnea]] | |||
| complications = [[Sepsis]], [[lung abscess]], [[fibrothorax]] | |||
| onset = Acute or chronic | |||
| duration = Variable | |||
| causes = [[Bacterial infection]], [[pneumonia]], [[lung abscess]] | |||
| risks = [[Alcoholism]], [[diabetes mellitus]], [[immunosuppression]] | |||
| diagnosis = [[Chest X-ray]], [[CT scan]], [[thoracentesis]] | |||
| differential = [[Pleural effusion]], [[pneumothorax]], [[lung cancer]] | |||
| treatment = [[Antibiotics]], [[chest tube drainage]], [[surgery]] | |||
| medication = [[Antibiotics]] such as [[penicillin]], [[cephalosporins]] | |||
| prognosis = Variable, depends on underlying cause and treatment | |||
| frequency = Common in patients with [[pneumonia]] | |||
}} | |||
[[File:UOTW 28 - Ultrasound of the Week 1.webm|Ultrasound of the Week 1|thumb]] | |||
[[File:UOTW 28 - Ultrasound of the Week 2.webm|Ultrasound of the Week 2|thumb|left]] | |||
[[File:UOTW 28 - Ultrasound of the Week 3.webm|Ultrasound of the Week 3|thumb]] | |||
[[File:UOTW 28 - Ultrasound of the Week 4.jpg|Ultrasound of the Week 4|thumb|left]] | |||
'''Pleural Empyema''' is a medical condition characterized by the accumulation of [[pus]] in the [[pleural cavity]], the space between the [[lung]] and the inner surface of the [[chest wall]]. This condition is usually a complication of [[pneumonia]] but can also result from other infections or chest injuries. | '''Pleural Empyema''' is a medical condition characterized by the accumulation of [[pus]] in the [[pleural cavity]], the space between the [[lung]] and the inner surface of the [[chest wall]]. This condition is usually a complication of [[pneumonia]] but can also result from other infections or chest injuries. | ||
== Causes == | == Causes == | ||
The most common cause of pleural empyema is bacterial [[infection]], often secondary to pneumonia. Other causes include [[thoracic surgery]], chest trauma, and lung abscess. The bacteria involved are usually [[Streptococcus pneumoniae]], [[Staphylococcus aureus]], and other [[Gram-negative bacteria]]. | The most common cause of pleural empyema is bacterial [[infection]], often secondary to pneumonia. Other causes include [[thoracic surgery]], chest trauma, and lung abscess. The bacteria involved are usually [[Streptococcus pneumoniae]], [[Staphylococcus aureus]], and other [[Gram-negative bacteria]]. | ||
== Symptoms == | == Symptoms == | ||
Symptoms of pleural empyema include chest pain, cough, fever, shortness of breath, and weight loss. In severe cases, patients may experience [[tachycardia]], [[cyanosis]], and decreased breath sounds on the affected side. | Symptoms of pleural empyema include chest pain, cough, fever, shortness of breath, and weight loss. In severe cases, patients may experience [[tachycardia]], [[cyanosis]], and decreased breath sounds on the affected side. | ||
== Diagnosis == | == Diagnosis == | ||
Diagnosis of pleural empyema involves a combination of physical examination, imaging studies such as [[chest X-ray]] and [[CT scan]], and laboratory tests. [[Thoracentesis]], the removal of fluid from the pleural space, is often performed for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. | Diagnosis of pleural empyema involves a combination of physical examination, imaging studies such as [[chest X-ray]] and [[CT scan]], and laboratory tests. [[Thoracentesis]], the removal of fluid from the pleural space, is often performed for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. | ||
== Treatment == | == Treatment == | ||
Treatment of pleural empyema involves both medical and surgical interventions. Antibiotics are used to treat the underlying infection, while [[thoracentesis]] or [[chest tube]] insertion may be performed to drain the empyema. In severe cases, [[thoracic surgery]] may be required. | Treatment of pleural empyema involves both medical and surgical interventions. Antibiotics are used to treat the underlying infection, while [[thoracentesis]] or [[chest tube]] insertion may be performed to drain the empyema. In severe cases, [[thoracic surgery]] may be required. | ||
== Prognosis == | == Prognosis == | ||
The prognosis of pleural empyema depends on the underlying cause, the patient's overall health, and the timeliness of treatment. With appropriate treatment, most patients recover fully. | The prognosis of pleural empyema depends on the underlying cause, the patient's overall health, and the timeliness of treatment. With appropriate treatment, most patients recover fully. | ||
== See also == | == See also == | ||
* [[Pleural effusion]] | * [[Pleural effusion]] | ||
| Line 21: | Line 39: | ||
* [[Thoracentesis]] | * [[Thoracentesis]] | ||
* [[Thoracic surgery]] | * [[Thoracic surgery]] | ||
[[Category:Respiratory diseases]] | [[Category:Respiratory diseases]] | ||
[[Category:Infectious diseases]] | [[Category:Infectious diseases]] | ||
[[Category:Thoracic surgical procedures]] | [[Category:Thoracic surgical procedures]] | ||
{{Medicine-stub}} | {{Medicine-stub}} | ||
Latest revision as of 10:14, 13 April 2025
Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC
| Pleural empyema | |
|---|---|
| |
| Synonyms | Pyothorax, purulent pleuritis |
| Pronounce | N/A |
| Specialty | Pulmonology, Infectious disease |
| Symptoms | Fever, chest pain, cough, dyspnea |
| Complications | Sepsis, lung abscess, fibrothorax |
| Onset | Acute or chronic |
| Duration | Variable |
| Types | N/A |
| Causes | Bacterial infection, pneumonia, lung abscess |
| Risks | Alcoholism, diabetes mellitus, immunosuppression |
| Diagnosis | Chest X-ray, CT scan, thoracentesis |
| Differential diagnosis | Pleural effusion, pneumothorax, lung cancer |
| Prevention | N/A |
| Treatment | Antibiotics, chest tube drainage, surgery |
| Medication | Antibiotics such as penicillin, cephalosporins |
| Prognosis | Variable, depends on underlying cause and treatment |
| Frequency | Common in patients with pneumonia |
| Deaths | N/A |
File:UOTW 28 - Ultrasound of the Week 1.webm
File:UOTW 28 - Ultrasound of the Week 2.webm
File:UOTW 28 - Ultrasound of the Week 3.webm
Pleural Empyema is a medical condition characterized by the accumulation of pus in the pleural cavity, the space between the lung and the inner surface of the chest wall. This condition is usually a complication of pneumonia but can also result from other infections or chest injuries.
Causes[edit]
The most common cause of pleural empyema is bacterial infection, often secondary to pneumonia. Other causes include thoracic surgery, chest trauma, and lung abscess. The bacteria involved are usually Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and other Gram-negative bacteria.
Symptoms[edit]
Symptoms of pleural empyema include chest pain, cough, fever, shortness of breath, and weight loss. In severe cases, patients may experience tachycardia, cyanosis, and decreased breath sounds on the affected side.
Diagnosis[edit]
Diagnosis of pleural empyema involves a combination of physical examination, imaging studies such as chest X-ray and CT scan, and laboratory tests. Thoracentesis, the removal of fluid from the pleural space, is often performed for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.
Treatment[edit]
Treatment of pleural empyema involves both medical and surgical interventions. Antibiotics are used to treat the underlying infection, while thoracentesis or chest tube insertion may be performed to drain the empyema. In severe cases, thoracic surgery may be required.
Prognosis[edit]
The prognosis of pleural empyema depends on the underlying cause, the patient's overall health, and the timeliness of treatment. With appropriate treatment, most patients recover fully.
See also[edit]
