Pleural empyema (patient information): Difference between revisions

Jump to navigation Jump to search
(New page: {{Patient information page template}} '''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here''' {{CMG}}; '''Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief:'''; '''Assistant Editor(s)-In...)
 
m (Robot: Automated text replacement (-msbeih@perfuse.org +msbeih@wikidoc.org, -psingh@perfuse.org +psingh13579@gmail.com, -agovi@perfuse.org +agovi@wikidoc.org, -rgudetti@perfuse.org +ravitheja.g@gmail.com, -lbiller@perfuse.org +lbiller@wikidoc.org,...)
 
(5 intermediate revisions by one other user not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Patient information page template}}
{{Pleural empyema (patient information)}}
'''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Type page name here|here]]'''
'''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Pleural empyema|here]]'''


{{CMG}}; '''Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief:'''; '''Assistant Editor(s)-In-Chief:'''
{{CMG}}; '''Associate Editor-In-Chief:''' [[User: Mohammed Sbeih|Mohammed A. Sbeih, M.D.]] [mailto:msbeih@wikidoc.org]


==Overview==
==Overview==
Empyema is a collection of pus in the space between the lung and the inner surface of the chest wall (pleural space).


==What are the symptoms of Pleural empyema?==
==What are the symptoms of Pleural empyema?==
*Chest pain, which worsens when you breathe in deeply (pleurisy).
*Dry cough.
*Excessive sweating, especially night sweats.
*Fever and chills.
*General discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling (malaise).
*Shortness of breath.
*Weight loss (unintentional).


==What causes Pleural empyema?==
==What causes Pleural empyema?==
Empyema is usually caused by an infection that spreads from the lung. It leads to a buildup of pus in the pleural space.
There can be a pint or more of infected fluid. This fluid puts pressure on the lungs.
Risk factors include:
*Bacterial pneumonia.
*Chest surgery.
*Lung abscess.
*Trauma or injury to the chest.
In rare cases, empyema can occur after a needle is inserted through the chest wall to draw off fluid in the pleural space for medical diagnosis or treatment (thoracentesis).


==When to seek urgent medical care?==
==When to seek urgent medical care?==
Call your health care provider if you develop symptoms of empyema.


==Diagnosis==
==Diagnosis==
The health care provider may note decreased breath sounds or an abnormal sound (friction rub) when listening to the chest with a stethoscope (auscultation).
Tests may include the following:
*Chest x-ray.
*CT scan of chest.
*Pleural fluid Gram stain and culture.
*Thoracentesis.


==Treatment options==
==Treatment options==
The goal of treatment is to cure the infection and remove the collection of pus from the space between the lung and the inner surface of the chest wall. Antibiotics are prescribed to control the infection.
The health care provider will place a chest tube to completely drain the pus. A surgeon may need to perform a procedure to peel away the lining of the lung (decortication) if the lung does not expand properly.


==Where to find medical care for Pleural empyema?==
==Where to find medical care for Pleural empyema?==
[http://maps.google.com/maps?q={{urlencode:{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}|map+top+hospital+Condition}}}}&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wl Directions to Hospitals Treating Pleural empyema]
[http://maps.google.com/maps?q={{urlencode:{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}|map+top+hospital+Pleural empyema}}}}&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wl Directions to Hospitals Treating Pleural empyema]


==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?==
==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?==
When empyema complicates pneumonia, the risk of permanent lung damage and death goes up. Patients will need long-term treatment with antibiotics and drainage. However, most people fully recover from empyema.


==Possible complications==
==Possible complications==
*Pleural thickening.
*Reduced lung function.


==Prevention==
==Prevention==
Prompt and effective treatment of lung infections may prevent some cases of empyema.


==Sources==
==Sources==
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000123.htm


[[Category:Pulmonary patient information]]
[[Category:Pulmonology]]
[[Category:Patient information]]
[[Category:Overview complete]]
[[Category:Template complete]]
[[Category:For review]]
[[Category:Surgery patient information]]
[[Category:Surgery]]


{{WH}}
{{WH}}
{{WS}}
{{WS}}

Latest revision as of 17:37, 2 November 2012

Pleural empyema

Overview

What are the symptoms?

What are the causes?

When to seek urgent medical care?

Diagnosis

Treatment options

Where to find medical care for Pleural empyema?

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Possible complications

Prevention

Pleural empyema On the Web

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

Images of Pleural empyema

Videos on Pleural empyema

FDA on Pleural empyema

CDC on Pleural empyema

Pleural empyema in the news

Blogs on Pleural empyema

Directions to Hospitals Treating Pleural empyema

Risk calculators and risk factors for Pleural empyema

For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor-In-Chief: Mohammed A. Sbeih, M.D. [2]

Overview

Empyema is a collection of pus in the space between the lung and the inner surface of the chest wall (pleural space).

What are the symptoms of Pleural empyema?

  • Chest pain, which worsens when you breathe in deeply (pleurisy).
  • Dry cough.
  • Excessive sweating, especially night sweats.
  • Fever and chills.
  • General discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling (malaise).
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Weight loss (unintentional).

What causes Pleural empyema?

Empyema is usually caused by an infection that spreads from the lung. It leads to a buildup of pus in the pleural space.

There can be a pint or more of infected fluid. This fluid puts pressure on the lungs.

Risk factors include:

  • Bacterial pneumonia.
  • Chest surgery.
  • Lung abscess.
  • Trauma or injury to the chest.

In rare cases, empyema can occur after a needle is inserted through the chest wall to draw off fluid in the pleural space for medical diagnosis or treatment (thoracentesis).

When to seek urgent medical care?

Call your health care provider if you develop symptoms of empyema.

Diagnosis

The health care provider may note decreased breath sounds or an abnormal sound (friction rub) when listening to the chest with a stethoscope (auscultation).

Tests may include the following:

  • Chest x-ray.
  • CT scan of chest.
  • Pleural fluid Gram stain and culture.
  • Thoracentesis.

Treatment options

The goal of treatment is to cure the infection and remove the collection of pus from the space between the lung and the inner surface of the chest wall. Antibiotics are prescribed to control the infection.

The health care provider will place a chest tube to completely drain the pus. A surgeon may need to perform a procedure to peel away the lining of the lung (decortication) if the lung does not expand properly.

Where to find medical care for Pleural empyema?

Directions to Hospitals Treating Pleural empyema

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

When empyema complicates pneumonia, the risk of permanent lung damage and death goes up. Patients will need long-term treatment with antibiotics and drainage. However, most people fully recover from empyema.

Possible complications

  • Pleural thickening.
  • Reduced lung function.

Prevention

Prompt and effective treatment of lung infections may prevent some cases of empyema.

Sources

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000123.htm

Template:WH Template:WS