Empyema thoracis: new insights into an old disease

Pleural infection is a disease of historical importance and is still a modern menace, with incidences rising in adults and children, and a significant mortality in adults. Basic research is hampered by limitations with in vivo models, and the bacteriology of empyema is complex. The role of thoracic...

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Published inEuropean respiratory review Vol. 19; no. 117; pp. 220 - 228
Main Authors Brims, F J H, Lansley, S M, Waterer, G W, Lee, Y C G
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published England European Respiratory Society 01.09.2010
Subjects
Animals
Anti-Bacterial Agents - therapeutic use
Bacterial Infections - complications
Bacterial Infections - drug therapy
Bacterial Infections - epidemiology
Chest Tubes
Drainage
Empyema
Empyema, Pleural - drug therapy
Empyema, Pleural - epidemiology
Empyema, Pleural - microbiology
Humans
infection
mesothelial
pleural
pneumonia
Prevalence
Review: Endoscopy
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Summary:Pleural infection is a disease of historical importance and is still a modern menace, with incidences rising in adults and children, and a significant mortality in adults. Basic research is hampered by limitations with in vivo models, and the bacteriology of empyema is complex. The role of thoracic ultrasound in guiding investigation and drainage of empyema is clear. Prompt treatment with appropriate systemic antibiotics and chest tube drainage are the key; in cases of failure of these measures, thoracic surgery is of proven efficacy in the treatment of this age-old disease.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-2
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
ObjectType-Feature-3
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ObjectType-Review-1
ISSN:0905-9180
1600-0617
DOI:10.1183/09059180.00005610