The second observation was the error made in calculating the positive predictive value. By deÞ nition, positive predictive value is “the probability that a person actually has the disease given that he or she tests positive”.[2] In the paper under discussion, the disease was represented by VZV ELISA positives (as the gold standard) and the test was represented by “recalled history of chicken po...

Empyema, an accumulation of infected fluid in the thoracic cavity, is commonly secondary to bacterial pneumonia in children. Despite the high prevalence and availability of many medical treatment options, there is no general consensus on the optimal management approach, which would lead to full and rapid recovery. Especially, there are the big differences in treatment options for the child with...

Pleural effusion is a common finding following pneumonia. It can become infected with accumulation of pus, forming empyema thoracis (ET), which is frequently encountered in childhood. Proper drainage and broadspectrum antibiotics are the mainstays of treatment. However, operative intervention is another mode of therapy in later stages of the condition. Election of either mode of therapy is a co...

STUDY OBJECTIVE To determine the success and complication rates of fibrinolytic therapy (FL) in the treatment of thoracic empyema. DESIGN AND PATIENTS Between December 1992 and November 1994, all patients referred with empyema thoracis (ET) were offered FL. FL consisted of streptokinase (275,000 +/- 170,000 IU) or urokinase (121,000 +/- 57,000 IU) daily for a mean of 6.2 +/- 2.1 days. SETTI...

Empyema thoracis can produce significant morbidity in children if inadequately treated. Correct evaluation of the stage of the disease, the clinical condition of the child and proper assessment of the response to conservative treatment is crucial in deciding the mode of further surgical intervention. This ranges from intercostal chest tube drainage and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery to op...

3. The two cohorts did not differ significantly in the baseline characteristics. Gestational age, birth weight (except for a 40g difference), gender, SGA, obstetric complications, Apgar scores at 1 and 5 minutes were comparable between the two groups. The only two factors that might have had an impact is the use of antenatal steroids and surfactant therapy. 4. We agree that the rates of mechani...

STUDY OBJECTIVE We evaluated treatment and outcome of patients with thoracic empyema at a teaching institution. DESIGN AND SETTING Retrospective chart review over a 44-month period at a university hospital. PATIENTS AND MEASUREMENTS Charts of patients with a hospital discharge diagnosis of thoracic empyema were reviewed. Age, symptoms, alcohol use, empyema etiology, culture results, number ...