Empyema history and symptoms

Jump to navigation Jump to search

Empyema Microchapters

Patient Information

Overview

Classification

Subdural empyema
Pleural empyema

Differential Diagnosis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Prince Tano Djan, BSc, MBChB [2]

Overview

Symptoms of empyema may vary in severity. Most patients with empyema may prersent with fever and chills, cough, shortness of breath, pleuritic chest pain, anaerobic infections however, can be more indolent, with up to 70% of patients having symptoms for more than 1 week.[1][2] Additionally, these patients tend to have more constitutional symptoms including; excessive night sweating, weight loss

Symptoms

Symptoms of empyema may vary in severity. Most patients with empyema may prersent with the following:[1][2]

  • Fever and chills
  • Dry cough
  • Shortness of breath
  • Pleuritic chest pain
  • Anaerobic infections however, can be more indolent, with up to 70% of patients having symptoms for more than 1 week.
    • Additionally, these patients tend to have more constitutional symptoms including:

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Atay S, Banki F, Floyd C (2016). "Empyema necessitans caused by actinomycosis: A case report". Int J Surg Case Rep. 23: 182–5. doi:10.1016/j.ijscr.2016.04.005. PMC 5022073. PMID 27180228.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Monteiro R, Alfaro TM, Correia L, Simão A, Carvalho A, Costa JN (2011). "[Lung abscess and thoracic empyema: retrospective analysis in an internal medicine department]". Acta Med Port. 24 Suppl 2: 229–40. PMID 22849907.