BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Empyema thoracis is a condition in which pus collects in the pleural cavity. The optimal treatment of Empyema thoracis especially in the fibrinopurulent phase (Stage II) remains controversial. While the Inter Costal Drainage (ICD) is less invasive and cheap, it is not clearly proved that it is better than the Video Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS) in terms of conv...

OBJECTIVES To describe the microbiological characteristics of a cohort of patients with complicated parapneumonic effusion and empyema thoracis, and to identify the potential risk factors for adverse outcomes, with particular reference to the choice of empirical antibiotics, intrapleural fibrinolytics, adherence to management guidelines, and input from pulmonologists. DESIGN Retrospective rev...

Blastomycosis is endemic in river valley areas of the southeastern and Midwestern United States. Pulmonary manifestations include chronic cough and pleuritic pain. Radiographic appearance of the infection can mimic bronchogenic lung carcinoma. Pleural effusion is rarely associated with this pulmonary infection, and empyema has not been previously reported. We report a case of pulmonary and pleu...

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is an autosomal dominant, variably expressed multisystem disease. The predominant pulmonary features of TSC are identical to those of lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM). Pneumothorax, multifocal micronodular pneumocyte hyperplasia, and chylothorax are rare complications of TSC. We report a young male with pneumothorax, lung nodules, and chylous effusion who develope...

The optimal management of paediatric empyema thoracis remains controversial. The objective of the study was to analyse evolving experience in clinical presentation, management, outcome and factors contributing to adverse morbidity in thoracic empyema. Forty-seven patients presenting to a paediatric surgical centre were studied in three consecutive 6-y periods during 1980-97 to compare any chang...