Pleural empyema: Difference between revisions

Jump to navigation Jump to search
No edit summary
No edit summary
Line 17: Line 17:
{{EH}}
{{EH}}


A '''pleural [[empyema]]''' (also known as a '''pyothorax''' or '''purulent pleuritis''') is an accumulation of [[pus]] in the [[pleural cavity]]. Most pleural empyemas arise from an infection within the [[lung]] ([[pneumonia]]), often associated with [[parapneumonic effusions]]. There are three stages: [[exudative]], fibrinopurulent and organizing. In the exudative stage, the pus accumulates. This is followed by the fibrinopurulent stage in which there is loculation of the pleural fluid (the creation of grapelike pus pockets). In the final organizing stage, scarring of the pleural space may lead to lung entrapment.
==[[Pleural empyema overview|Overview]]==


==Symptoms==
==[[Pleural empyema historical perspective|Historical Perspective]]==


Symptoms of empyema may vary in severity. Typical symptoms include: [[fever]], [[chest pain]] or discomfort, [[cough]], sweating and [[dyspnea|shortness of breath]].
==[[Pleural empyema classification|Classification]]==


[[Clubbing]] of the fingernails may be present. There is a dull percussion note and reduced breath sounds on the affected side of the chest.  Other diagnostic tools include chest [[x-ray]], [[CT scan]], and [[Medical ultrasonography|ultrasonography]].
==[[Pleural empyema pathophysiology|Pathophysiology]]==
 
==[[Pleural empyema causes|Causes]]==
 
==[[Pleural empyema differential diagnosis|Differentiating Pleural empyema from other Diseases]]==
 
==[[Pleural empyema epidemiology and demographics|Epidemiology and Demographics]]==
 
==[[Pleural empyema risk factors|Risk Factors]]==
 
==[[Pleural empyema screening|Screening]]==
 
==[[Pleural empyema natural history, complications and prognosis|Natural History, Complications and Prognosis]]==


==Diagnosis==
==Diagnosis==
Diagnosis is confirmed by [[thoracentesis]]; frank pus may be aspirated from the pleural space. The pleural fluid typically has a low pH (<7.20), low glucose (<60 mg/dL), and contains infectious organisms.
[[Pleural empyema staging|Staging]] | [[Pleural empyema history and symptoms|History and Symptoms]] | [[Pleural empyema physical examination|Physical Examination]] | [[Pleural empyema laboratory findings|Laboratory Findings]] | [[Pleural empyema chest x ray|Chest X Ray]] | [[Pleural empyema CT|CT]] | [[Pleural empyema MRI|MRI]] | [[Pleural empyema other imaging findings|Other Imaging Findings]] | [[Pleural empyema other diagnostic studies|Other Diagnostic Studies]]


==Treatment==
==Treatment==
Definitive treatment for empyema entails drainage of the infected pleural fluid.  A [[chest tube]] may be inserted, often using ultrasound guidance. [[Intravenous]] [[antibiotic]]s are given. If this is insufficient, surgical [[debridement]] of the pleural space may be required.
[[Pleural empyema medical therapy|Medical Therapy]] | [[Pleural empyema surgery|Surgery]] | [[Pleural empyema primary prevention|Primary Prevention]] | [[Pleural empyema secondary prevention|Secondary Prevention]] | [[Pleural empyema cost-effectiveness of therapy|Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy]] [[Pleural empyema future or investigational therapies|Future or Investigational Therapies]]
 
==Case Studies==
 
[[Pleural empyema case study one|Case #1]]


{{Respiratory pathology}}
{{Respiratory pathology}}

Revision as of 18:41, 24 September 2012

Pleural empyema
CT chest showing large right sided hydro-pneumothorax from pleural empyema. Arrows A: air, B: fluid
ICD-10 J86
ICD-9 510
DiseasesDB 4200
MedlinePlus 000123
MeSH D016724

Empyema Main Page

Pleural empyema Microchapters

Home

Patient Information

Overview

Historical Perspective

Classification

Pathophysiology

Causes

Differentiating Pleural empyema from other Diseases

Epidemiology and Demographics

Screening

Risk Factors

Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

Diagnosis

History and Symptoms

Physical Examination

Laboratory Findings

Chest X Ray

ECG

CT

MRI

Ultrasound

Other Imaging Findings

Other Diagnostic Studies

Treatment

Medical Therapy

Surgery

Prevention

Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy

Future or Investigational Therapies

Case Studies

Case #1

Pleural empyema On the Web

Most recent articles

Most cited articles

Review articles

CME Programs

Powerpoint slides

Images

American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Pleural empyema

All Images
X-rays
Echo & Ultrasound
CT Images
MRI

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

US National Guidelines Clearinghouse

NICE Guidance

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 WikiPatient page for this topic, click here

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

Please Take Over This Page and Apply to be Editor-In-Chief for this topic: There can be one or more than one Editor-In-Chief. You may also apply to be an Associate Editor-In-Chief of one of the subtopics below. Please mail us [2] to indicate your interest in serving either as an Editor-In-Chief of the entire topic or as an Associate Editor-In-Chief for a subtopic. Please be sure to attach your CV and or biographical sketch.

Overview

Historical Perspective

Classification

Pathophysiology

Causes

Differentiating Pleural empyema from other Diseases

Epidemiology and Demographics

Risk Factors

Screening

Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

Diagnosis

Staging | History and Symptoms | Physical Examination | Laboratory Findings | Chest X Ray | CT | MRI | Other Imaging Findings | Other Diagnostic Studies

Treatment

Medical Therapy | Surgery | Primary Prevention | Secondary Prevention | Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy | Future or Investigational Therapies

Case Studies

Case #1

Template:Respiratory pathology Template:SIB

de:Empyem et:Empüeem nl:Empyeem


Template:WikiDoc Sources