Tuberculous Empyema: VATS Findings

Abstract

A 58-year-old male patient was admitted with suspected tuberculous empyema. Due to an unfavorable clinical evolution, a thoracoscopic pleural biopsy was performed to achieve an etiological diagnosis after 6 days of hospitalization. VATS findings showing the bride’s veil or Mya’s sign helped to confirm the diagnosis, ruling out other causes. Although all the cultures were negative, the pathological study of the pleural biopsy confirmed the presence of a tuberculoid granulomatous inflammatory process. Hospital discharge occurred 4 days later. Thoracoscopic pleural biopsy is useful in the diagnosis of tuberculosis, especially when the clinical manifestations are uncertain. VATS improves drainage of the pleural space when tuberculous empyema is suspected.