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Empyema

Treatment:

The goal of treatment is to cure the infection and remove the collection of pus from the lung. Antibiotics are prescribed to control the infection. A doctor 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.

Expectations (prognosis):

Usually, empyema does not result in permanent pulmonary damage.

Complications:

A possible complication is pleural thickening.

Calling your health care provider:

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

References:

Mason RJ, Broaddus VC, Murray JF, Nadel JA. Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine . 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders; 2005.

Ahmed RA, Marrie TJ, Huang JQ. Thoracic empyema in patients with community-acquired pneumonia. Am J Med . October 2006;119:877-883.

Qureshi NR, Gleeson FV. Imaging of Pleural Disease. Clin Chest Med . June 2006;27:193-213.

Lungs

Respiratory system

Chest tube insertion - series

Review Date: 3/1/2007
Reviewed By: David A. Kaufman, M.D., Assistant Professor, Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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