MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Empyema

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Empyema

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Definition Causes, incidence, and risk factors Symptoms Signs and tests	Treatment Expectations (prognosis) Complications Calling your health care provider Prevention

Illustrations

Lungs

Chest tube insertion - series

Respiratory system

Definition Return to top

Empyma is a collection of pus in the pleural space (the cavity between the lung and the membrane that surrounds it).

Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top

Empyema is caused by an infection that spreads from the lung and leads to an accumulation of pus in the pleural space. The infected fluid can build up to a quantity of a pint or more, which puts pressure on the lungs, causing shortness of breath and pain. Risk factors include recent pulmonary (lung) conditions including bacterial pneumonia, lung abscess, thoracic surgery, trauma or injury to the chest, or rarely, thoracentesis (a needle inserted through the chest wall to draw off fluid in the pleural space).

Symptoms Return to top

a dry cough
a fever and chills
excessive sweating, especially night sweats
general discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling (malaise)
weight loss
chest pain, worse on deep inspiration (inhalation)

Signs and tests Return to top

Abnormal findings, such as decreased breath sounds or a friction rub, may be noted when listening to the chest with a stethoscope (auscultation).

Tests include the following:

Treatment Return to top

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 decortication (peeling away the lining of the lung) if the lung does not expand properly.

Expectations (prognosis) Return to top

Usually empyema does not result in permanent pulmonary damage.

Complications Return to top

A possible complication is pleural thickening.

Calling your health care provider Return to top

Call your health care provider if symptoms of empyema develop.

Prevention Return to top

Prompt treatment of pulmonary (lung) infections may prevent some cases of empyema.

Update Date: 5/6/2003

Updated by: David A. Kaufman, M.D., Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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