Empyema means the presence of pus in the pleural space between the outer surface of the lung and the chest wall. Empyema can occur as a complication of tuberculosis, pneumonias, trauma, repeated aspiration of pleural fluids and also following various chest operations. Symptoms Symptoms of Empyema may vary from asymptomatic disease picked up on a CT Scan to cough, fever, chest pain and breathlessness. It affects patients across all ages-from youngest to oldest.
Early surgical removal of pus leads to quick recovery whereas delay in treatment can even be fatal. Diagnosis The diagnosis is confirmed by CT Scan and aspiration of pus from chest cavity. Treatment The treatment for empyema consists of removal of all the pus and also the thick layer that forms around the lung and on the inside of the chest wall (pleural peel). In early stages of Empyema, this can be achieved by key-hole (VATS)…
