Empyema differential diagnosis

Empyema Microchapters
Patient Information
Overview
Classification Subdural empyema Pleural empyema
Differential Diagnosis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Differential diagnosis

Variable	Empyema Thoracis	Lung abscess	parapneumonic effusion	Pneumonia	Lung cancer
Presentation	Variable presentation but may follow long standing pneumonia	Usually has history of aspiration pneumonia, alcoholics, drug abusers, seizure disorder, have undergone recent general anesthesia, or have a nasogastric or endotracheal tube.	Usually follows pneumonia	presents with fever, pleuritc chest pain, cough	mostly asymptomatic but may have cough productive with hemoptysis