We aimed to determine the incidence, clinical consequences and microbiological findings related to the presence of pleural effusion in community-acquired pneumonia, and to identify predictive factors for empyema/complicated parapneumonic effusion. We analysed 4,715 consecutive patients with community-acquired pneumonia from two acute care hospitals. Patients were classified into three groups: n...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Brain abscess and subdural empyema are the 2 most common forms of intracranial pyogenic infections. Predisposing factors and etiological agents may change with time. This study examined the epidemiological features of these conditions. METHODS The medical records of all inpatients with a diagnosis of brain abscess or subdural empyema from 1998 to 2007 were reviewed. The...

Pediatric pleural empyema has increased substantially over the past 20 years and reasons for this rise remain not fully explained. We investigated potential risk factors for the development of empyema in children by examining a cohort of patients with community-acquired pneumonia. Demographic, clinical, and socioeconomic characteristics, use of Ibuprofen prior to presentation and selected poten...

OBJECTIVES Traditionally, chronic empyema has been treated by thoracotomy and decortication. Some recent reports have claimed similar clinical results for videothoracoscopy, but with less morbidity and mortality than open procedures. Our experience with thoracotomy and decortication is reviewed so that the results of this surgical procedure can be adequately evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS F...

BACKGROUND Childhood pneumonia is common in all countries, and empyema is one of the commonest complications. The role of routine intrapleural fibrinolytics in the management of childhood empyema is not well established in low- and middle-income countries. METHODS We did a prospective observational study of children sequentially hospitalised with empyema between December 2006 and December 201...

Background: Tuberculous (TB) empyema is a chronic infection of pleural space which carries a signifi cant morbidity and mortality. Aims: The aim of this study was to observe clinical, radiological, bacteriological features, and the outcomes obtained by the medical management of TB empyema. Methodology: A retrospective case analysis of all the adult patients admitted with TB empyema was performe...

Pleural effusion is commonly seen associated with pneumonia. When this progresses to empyema, directed therapy is frequently required. Chest radiographic and computed tomography findings can help distinguish empyema from a transudative pleural effusion.

Pediatric wrist empyema are very rare, this is the first case report in the current literature describing a hematogenic spreading of bacteria from dental caries, leading to a severe wrist empyema.

Andy Hanson was admitted to Shady Grove Hospital with a pneumonia that progressed to an empyema. He was assigned to the teaching service with Dr David Lee attending, along with a second-year resident, Dr Mary Weiss. Dr Weiss did an initial interview and recorded her history and physical in the chart. She presented her findings to Dr Lee and they agreed upon a plan to have the empyema drained an...