Abstract
Pleural empyema is defined as a collection of infected secretion or pus in the intrapleural cavity. Most commonly, it is a complication of pneumonia associated with high morbidity and mortality. Because there are no characteristic symptoms of empyema, patients often are incorrectly diagnosed and therapy is delayed or inadequate. The treatment of empyema becomes more complex and morbidity and mortality increase the longer it takes to initiate appropriate treatment. Early therapy adapted to the stage of disease and particular patient situation is the goal.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Selected Bibliography
Andrews NC, Parker EF, Shaw RR, Wilson NJ, Webb WR (1962) Management of nontuberculous empyema. A statement of the ATS subcomittee on surgery. Am Rev Respir Dis 85:935–936
Colice GL, Curtis A, Deslauriers J et al (2000) Medical and surgical treatment of parapneumonic effusions: an evidence based guideline. Chest 118:1158–1171
Davies CW, Gleeson FV, Davies RJ (2003) BTS guidelines for the management of pleural infection. Tab Thorax 58 (Suppl 2):ii18–ii28
Klopp M, Pfannschmidt J, Dienemann H (2007) Treatment of pleural empyema [in German]. Chirurg 79:83–94; quiz 95–96
Kremer K et al (1991) Therapie der infizierten Pneumonektomiehöhle ohne bronchopleurale Fistel. In Chirurgische Operationslehre, Bd. 2, Thorax: 267–68. Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart
Somers J, Faber LP (1996) Historical developments in the management of empyema. Chest Surg Clin N Am 6:403–418
Sugarbaker DJ, Bueno R, Krasna MJ, Mentzer SJ, Zellos L (eds) (2009) Adult chest surgery. McGraw-Hill, New York
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2015 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Klopp, M. (2015). Pleural Empyema. In: Dienemann, H., Hoffmann, H., Detterbeck, F. (eds) Chest Surgery. Springer Surgery Atlas Series. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-12044-2_37
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-12044-2_37
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-642-12043-5
Online ISBN: 978-3-642-12044-2
eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)