Empyema thoracis is the collection of purulent fluid within the pleural space (i.e., between the parietal pleura and the visceral pleura). It is one of the complications of pneumonia usually caused by bacterial infections. A recent study reveals that Approximately half of the patients with pneumonia develop pleural effusion, and 5–10% of patients may develop Empyema Thoracis after antibiotic treatment.
In Western countries, Gram-positive bacteria predominate, whereas in India, especially in the northern part of Karnataka, tuberculosis continues to be the common cause of empyema in adults. In 2022, an estimated 10.6 million people fell ill with tuberculosis (TB) worldwide. In children, Gram-positive bacterial infections are common. Patients usually present with lower respiratory tract symptoms such as fever, productive cough, and breathlessness. Initially, the disease starts as an exudative effusion, progressing into multi-loculation, later forming a thick layer of inflammatory exudate coating the viscera, leading to fibrosis and lung collapse.
Author(s) Details:
Vikram Sindgikar,
Department of General Surgery, BLDEDU’s Shri B M Patil Medical College Hospital, Vijayapur, Karnataka, India.
Tejaswini Vallabha,
Department of General Surgery, BLDEDU’s Shri B M Patil Medical College Hospital, Vijayapur, Karnataka, India.
Mallikarjun Patil,
Department of General Surgery, BLDEDU’s Shri B M Patil Medical College Hospital, Vijayapur, Karnataka, India.
Girish Kullolli,
Department of General Surgery, BLDEDU’s Shri B M Patil Medical College Hospital, Vijayapur, Karnataka, India.
Samhitha Reddy,
Department of General Surgery, BLDEDU’s Shri B M Patil Medical College Hospital, Vijayapur, Karnataka, India.
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