Correlación fisiopatológica, diagnóstica y terapéutica en el derrame pleural paraneumónico / Pathophysiological, diagnostic and therapeutic correlation in parapneumonic pleural effusion

Introducción: La inflamación de la pleura desencadenada por bacterias y mediada por citocinas, aumenta la permeabilidad vascular y produce vasodilatación, lo cual genera desequilibrio entre la producción de líquido pleural y su capacidad de reabsorción por eficientes mecanismos fisiológicos. La condición anterior conduce al desarrollo de derrame pleural paraneumónico. Objetivo: Exponer la importancia de la correlación fisiopatológica y diagnóstica con los pilares fundamentales de actuación terapéutica en el derrame pleural paraneumónico. Métodos: Revisión en PubMed y Google Scholar de artículos publicados hasta abril de 2021 que abordaran el derrame pleural paraneumónico, su fisiopatología, elementos diagnósticos, tanto clínicos como resultados del estudio del líquido pleural, pruebas de imágenes, y estrategias terapéuticas. Análisis y síntesis de la información: El progreso de una infección pulmonar y la producción de una invasión de gérmenes al espacio pleural favorece la activación de mecanismos que conllevan al acúmulo de fluido, depósito de fibrina y formación de septos. Este proceso patológico se traduce en manifestaciones clínicas, cambios en los valores citoquímicos y resultados microbiológicos en el líquido pleural, que acompañados de signos radiológicos y ecográficos en el tórax, guían la aplicación oportuna de los pilares de tratamiento del derrame pleural paraneumónico. Conclusiones: Ante un derrame pleural paraneumónico, con tabiques o partículas en suspensión en la ecografía de tórax, hallazgo de fibrina, líquido turbio o pus en el proceder de colocación del drenaje de tórax, resulta necesario iniciar fibrinólisis intrapleural. Cuando el tratamiento con fibrinolíticos intrapleurales falla, la cirugía video-toracoscópica es el procedimiento quirúrgico de elección(AU)

Introduction: The inflammation of the pleura triggered by bacteria and mediated by cytokines, increases vascular permeability and produces vasodilation, which generates imbalance between the production of pleural fluid and its resorption capacity by efficient physiological mechanisms. The above condition leads to the development of parapneumonic pleural effusion. Objective: To expose the importance of the pathophysiological and diagnostic correlation with the fundamental pillars of therapeutic action in parapneumonic pleural effusion. Methods: Review in PubMed and Google Scholar of articles published until April 2021 that addressed parapneumonic pleural effusion, its pathophysiology, diagnostic elements, both clinical and results of the pleural fluid study, imaging tests, and therapeutic strategies. Analysis and synthesis of information: The progress of a lung infection and the production of an invasion of germs into the pleural space favors the activation of mechanisms that lead to the accumulation of fluid, fibrin deposition and formation of septa. This pathological process results in clinical manifestations, changes in cytochemical values and microbiological results in the pleural fluid, which accompanied by radiological and ultrasound signs in the chest, guide the timely application of the pillars of treatment of parapneumonic pleural effusion. Conclusions: In the event of a parapneumonic pleural effusion, with septums or particles in suspension on chest ultrasound, finding fibrin, turbid fluid or pus in the procedure of placement of the chest drain, it is necessary to initiate intrapleural fibrinolytic. When treatment with intrapleural fibrinolytics fails, video-thoracoscopic surgery is the surgical procedure of choice(AU)

Bula gigante secundaria a neumonía adquirida en la comunidad en niños / Giant Bulla Secondary to Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Children

Introducción: Los neumatoceles y las bulas pulmonares son lesiones que se observan en los niños casi siempre asociadas a neumonías infecciosas, aunque sus causas pueden ser diversas. La importancia clínica de estos procesos radica en el peligro de crecimiento progresivo, que puede comprometer las funciones respiratoria y cardiovascular. Objetivo: Describir las experiencias derivadas del proceso de diagnóstico por imágenes y del tratamiento invasivo de casos atendidos. Presentación de los casos: Desde finales de 2021 y durante un período de un año, se atendieron, en la unidad de cuidados intensivos pediátricos del Hospital Pediátrico Universitario de Cienfuegos, cinco niños con neumonías extensas, que desarrollaron bulas de gran tamaño varios días después del tratamiento antimicrobiano adecuado. Estas necesitaron drenaje y aspiración percutáneos debido a su magnitud y a la presencia de síntomas cardiovasculares. Conclusiones: Las bulas que aparecieron como complicación de la neumonía en el niño pueden presentarse con una frecuencia no despreciable, y hay que mantenerse atentos a su evolución, porque, a diferencia de los neumatoceles, pueden crecer progresivamente y comprometer las funciones respiratoria y cardiovascular. El drenaje percutáneo y aspiración continua por cinco días resultó un método seguro y eficaz para tratar estos procesos(AU)

Introduction: Pneumoatoceles and pulmonary bullae are lesions that are observed in children almost always associated with infectious pneumonia, although their causes may be diverse. The clinical importance of these processes lies in the danger of progressive growth, which can compromise respiratory and cardiovascular functions. Objective: To describe the experiences derived from the imaging process and the invasive treatment of treated cases. Presentation of the cases: Since the end of 2021 and for a period of one year, five children with extensive pneumonia were treated in the pediatric intensive care unit of the University Pediatric Hospital of Cienfuegos, who developed large bullae several days after appropriate antimicrobial treatment. The bullae required percutaneous drainage and aspiration due to their magnitude and the presence of cardiovascular symptoms. Conclusions: The bulla that appeared as a complication of pneumonia in the child can occur with a not negligible frequency, and it is necessary to be attentive to their evolution, because, unlike pneumoatoceles, can grow progressively and compromise respiratory and cardiovascular functions. Percutaneous drainage and continuous aspiration for five days was a safe and effective method to treat these processes(AU)

Hemangioma esplênico no adulto associado à síndrome de Kasabach-Merritt / Kasabach-Merritt Syndrome-associated adult splenic hemangioma

O hemangioma esplênico, tumor benigno mais frequente do baço, porém, por vezes de difícil diagnóstico, pode integrar a síndrome de Kasabach-Merritt, afecção rara e potencialmente fatal, descrita como associação entre hemangioma, trombocitopenia e coagulopatia de consumo. Apresentamos um caso de paciente de 73 anos em acompanhamento com a hematologia por trombocitopenia crônica a princípio idiopática, que evoluiu com dor abdominal, anemia e derrame pleural. Foi realizada tomografia computadorizada de abdome, que evidenciou massa esplênica sólida heterogênea. A paciente foi submetida a esplenectomia total videolaparoscópica e evoluiu com melhora da dor abdominal e normalização da série plaquetária, sem recorrência do derrame pleural após o procedimento. A raridade e a complexidade do caso, somadas à dificuldade diagnóstica e à abordagem terapêutica, foram fatores que corroboraram para a apresentação desse caso. (AU)

Splenic hemangioma, the most common, but sometimes hard to diagnose, benign tumor of the spleen may integrate Kasabach- Merritt syndrome, a rare and potentially fatal condition described as an association ofhemangioma, thrombocytopenia and consumption coagulopathy. We present a case of a 73-year-old female patient being monitoring, with Hematology due to chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenia who progressed with abdominal pain, anemia and pleural effusion; a computed tomography scan of the abdomen was performed, showing a heterogeneous solid splenic mass. The patient underwent total videolaparoscopic splenectomy and progressed with improvement of abdominal pain and normalization of the platelet series, with no recurrence of pleural effusion after the procedure. The rarity and complexity of the case added to the diagnostic difficulty and therapeutic approach were factors that corroborated for the presentation of this case. (AU)

Sirolimus on Gorham-Stout disease. Case report / Sirolimus en la enfermedad de Gorham-Stout. Caso clínico

Abstract Background: Gorham-Stout disease (GSD) is a rare disease of unknown etiology characterized by vascular proliferation that produces destruction of bone matrix. Case description: This case is about 43 year old woman who begins with pain in sternum, dyspnea, abdominal mass and, serous-hematic pleural effusion. Imaging tests were performed showing lesions on 6th and 10th left ribs archs. Later, a thoracotomy was performed observed absence of the end of the 6th and lung, pleural and costal biopsy was token. The histologic features described lymphatic vascular proliferation in bone tissue of chest wall. Other pathologies were excluded and in view of the findings, GSD diagnosis was made. Treatment and outcome: treatment was initiated with sirolimus achieving remission of the disease after the first month; however, because the presence of metrorrhagia the treatment was discontinued, reappearing symptoms afterwards. For that reason the treatment was restarted getting disappearance of the symptoms again, 4 weeks later. Clinical relevance: we present the first clinical cases of EGS with pleural effusion with response to sirolimus treatment that could be an alternative to the current therapy.

Resumen Antecedentes: La enfermedad de Gorham-Stout (EGS), es una enfermedad poco común, de etiología desconocida, caracterizada por la proliferación vascular que produce destrucción de la matriz ósea. Caso clínico: Se presenta el caso de mujer de 43 años que comienza con dolor en el esternón, disnea y tumoración abdominal junto con derrame pleural izquierdo de características serohemáticas como forma de presentación de una EGS. En pruebas de imagen que mostraron lesiones líticas en el 6º y 10º arcos costales izquierdos. Posteriormente se realizó toracotomía con biopsia pulmonar, pleural y costal observándose ausencia del extremo de la 6ª costilla. En el estudio histopatológico se describe proliferación vascular linfática en tejido óseo de pared costal. Se excluyeron otras patologías y se diagnosticó EGS. Tratamiento y resultado: Se inició tratamiento con sirolimus consiguiendo remisión completa desde el primer mes. Sin embargo, tras la suspensión del tratamiento por metrorragias, presentó reaparición de los síntomas. Se decide entonces reiniciar el tratamiento, consiguiendo nuevamente desaparición de los síntomas, tras 4 semanas de tratamiento. Relevancia clínica: Se presenta el primer caso clínico de EGS en edad adulta con derrame pleural asociado y con respuesta clínica a sirolimus, fármaco que podría ser una alternativa a la terapéutica actual.

Pneumonia due to Rhodococcus equi in a non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patient: case report

The authors reported a lung infection by Rhodococcus equi in a 25 years-old male patient admitted to hospital with cough, dyspnea, fever, and previous diagnosis of pleural effusion. R. equi was isolated from pleural fluid and the patient acquired nosocomial infection by Acinetobacter baumannii, isolated from chest drain. The patient was treated with antibiotics. During hospitalization, he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma of precursor T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma subtype in biopsy of pleura. After undergoing surgery for pulmonary decortication for drain empyema, the patient died due to septicemia(AU)

Los autores informan de una infección pulmonar por Rhodococcus equi en un paciente masculino de 25 años que fuera hospitalizado con tos seca, disnea, fiebre y diagnóstico previo de derrame pleural. R. equi se aisló del líquido pleural y el paciente adquiere una infección nosocomial con Acinetobacter baumannii aisladas de un drenaje torácico. El paciente recibió tratamiento con antibióticos y, durante la hospitalización, fue diagnosticado linfoma no Hodgkin subtipo de linfoma linfoblástico de precursoras de células T en la biopsia pleural. Después de la cirugía para decorticación pulmonar para la fuga de empiema, el paciente falleció debido a una septicemia(AU)

A Rare Clinical Presentation of Primary Pulmonary Hypoplasia with Tuberculous Pleural Effusion.

Primary pulmonary hypoplasia is rare in adulthood. It is characterized by decreased number or size of bronchi, vessels and alveoli. We present a case of unilateral pulmonary hypoplasia in 44-old-year male smoker who presented with right pleural effusion. His chest X-ray revealed an inhomogenous opacity on the left side with bronchiectatic changes and right minimal pleural effusion. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy revealed blind end bronchi in left upper lobe and computed tomography pulmonary angiography revealed hypoplastic lung with cystic bronchiectasis on the left side and hypoplastic left pulmonary artery. It was not associated with any other congenital anomalies. In addition to symptomatic management, he was started on anti-tuberculous treatment for tuberculous pleural effusion and kept under follow-up.

Derrame pleural / Pleural effusion

El derrame pleural se define como la acumulación anormal de líquido en el espacio pleural que se produce por aumento en la producción o disminución del drenaje, causas comunes en patologías clínicas. Dentro de las causas del incremento de la producción podemos enunciar un aumento de la permeabilidad capilar pleural, disminución de la presión oncótica capilar y aumento de la presión hidrostatica capilar, son menos claras las causas de la disminución del drenaje pero se destacan la alteración de la contractibilidad linfàtica pleural, infiltración de vasos y nódulos linfáticos por enfemedades neoplàsicas y alteraciones a nivel pleural que impidan que el líquido este en contacto con los poros linfáticos. El objetivo de esta revisión es el analisis de las bases fisiológicas de la pleura y la producción del líquido pleural, los aspectos fisiopatológicos del derrame pleural, el enfoque diagnóstico y el manejo médico-quirúrgico del mismo de acuerdo a las diferentes causas que lo producen.

Simultaneous isolated bilateral facial palsy : A rare vincristine-associated toxicity.

We describe a case of a 15-year-old boy with vincristine-induced simultaneous isolated bilateral facial palsy. The boy presented with superior vena caval syndrome (SVC syndrome), right-sided pleural effusion and anterior mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Histopathological examination of left axillary lymph node was suggestive of lymphoblastic lymphoma. We started chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisolone. SVC syndrome disappeared completely after the 1st cycle, and he achieved remission after the 3rd cycle of chemotherapy. He noticed that he could not close his eyes. Neurological examination revealed bilateral lower motor neuron facial palsy. Findings from examination of other cranial nerves and peripheral nerves were normal. Results of MRI of brain and cerebrospinal fluid examination were normal. He received 6 mg vincristine before developing toxicity.

Compromiso pleural en la leucemia de células plasmáticas: reporte de un caso / Pleural effusion in plasma cell leukemia: a case report

Multiple myeloma is a low malignant, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, which is characterized by infiltration of the bone marrow by clonal proliferation of atypical plasma cells. Extramedullary manifestations are relatively rare. Serous effusions in multiple myeloma are uncommon (6 percent of cases) but a myelomatous pleural effusion occurring in these patients is extremely rare. Plasma cell leukemia, occurring either de novo or in patients with long standing multiple myeloma, is the least common type of plasma cell dyscrasia. The authors describe the course of plasma cellular leukemia in a 63-year-old male patient where the first manifestation of the disease was a bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia and a contralateral pleural exudate with a cytological finding of plasma cells. The exudate disappeared after the first cycle of chemotherapy (vincristine, adriamycin, dexamethasone). After the third cycle of chemotherapy remission of the disease was recorded which was, however, short. After three months' remission the disease recurred, consequently underwent autologous bone marrow transplantation. The patient has maintained complete remission for 12 months after diagnosis. Pleural effusion is an unusual but important complication of multiple myeloma and does not necessarily carry the grave prognosis implied in previous reports.

El mieloma múltiple es una neoplasia maligna de células plasmáticas que invade la médula ósea y otros tejidos. Las manifestaciones extramedulares son relativamente raras. El derrame pleural en el mieloma múltiple es poco frecuente (6 por ciento de los casos), y el derrame pleural neoplásico es extremadamente raro. La leucemia de células plasmáticas, que se produce de novo o en pacientes con mieloma múltiple, es la variedad menos común de discrasia de células plasmáticas. Los autores describen el cuadro clínico de un paciente de 63 años con leucemia de células plasmáticas, donde la primera manifestación de la enfermedad fue una neumonía neumocócica bacteriémica asociado a un derrame pleural contralateral, que correspondió a un exudado predominio mononuclear. El examen citológico reveló abundantes células plasmáticas inmaduras en el líquido pleural y la sangre periférica. El derrame pleural desapareció después del primer ciclo de quimioterapia (vincristina, adriamicina, dexametasona). Después de tres meses de remisión, la enfermedad neoplásica recidivó, siendo el paciente sometido a trasplante autólogo de médula ósea. El paciente se ha mantenido en remisión completa un año después del diagnóstico. El derrame pleural es una complicación poco común, pero importante, del mieloma múltiple y no necesariamente conlleva un mal pronóstico.

Responsive treatment of pleural effusion due to probable tuberculosis infection.

Early diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis disease is crucial for initiating treatment and interrupting disease transmission. In keeping with the pathophysiology of disease, bacteriological evidence in extra-pulmonary tuberculosis proves to be difficult. Clinical judgment and radiographic findings are important to establish diagnosis and to evaluate treatment response. A case of 27 year-old-male with shortness of breath and associated TB symptoms is reported. The tuberculin test was highly positive and chest X-ray showed massive right-lung pleural effusion. Pleural analysis showed exudates with high mononuclear cells (98%), protein level of 5.0 g/dL, glucose level of 87 mg/dL, and high LDH level (1240 IU/L). The acid-fast bacilli (AFB) tests were negative for pleural fluid and sputum. Cultures of fluid and sputum were also negative. After being treated adequately with non-specific treatment, which showed no improvement and having undergone pleural puncture for his treatment and diagnosis, the patient started to have antituberculosis treatment. His condition was improved significantly as shown by a serial of chest X-ray follow-up.

Tuberculose pleural / Tuberculous pleural effusions

O derrame pleural tuberculoso pode ser devido a uma manifestação da forma primária da doença ou da reativação de uma infecção latente pelo M. tuberculosis. Os avanços nos métodos laboratoriais contribuíram sobremaneira para um melhor diagnóstico e para a compreensão da fisiopatologia desta doença. No entanto, embora o derrame pleural predominante linfocítico seja indicativo de tuberculose em nosso meio, uma rotina de abordagem diagnóstica deve ser instituída a fim de orientar o tratamento precoce e evitar seqüelas.

Tuberculous pleural effusion is a common manifestation of the primary form of the disease or consequence of the reactivation of a latent infection due to the M. tuberculosis. Advances in the laboratory methods have contributed to better diagnose and understand the pathophysiology of the effusion secondary to tuberculosis. However, although a predominant lymphocytic pleural effusion is suspicious of tuberculosis, a diagnostic routine shall be instituted to orient treatment and prevent undesirable sequels.

Coccidioidomycosis presenting as a massive pleural effusion in a postpartum woman.

A 33-year-old, postpartum woman presented with a massive, left pleural effusion following a self-limiting course of erythema nodosum. Pleural biopsy confirmed a diagnosis of coccidioidomycosis. This is the first reported case in the literature of coccidioidomycosis related to pregnancy, presenting as a massive pleural effusion.

The etiology of extensive pleural effusions with troublesome clinical course among children

CONTEXTO: Em São Paulo, pneumonia é a principal causa infecciosa de morte infantil. Derrame pleural parapneumônico é uma complicação grave da doença e intervenção cirúrgica pode ser necessária quando o paciente não responde à antibioticoterapia. OBJETIVO: Determinar a etiologia dos derrames pleurais parapneumônicos complicados que necessitaram de intervenção cirúrgica. TIPO DE ESTUDO: Retrospectivo. LOCAL: Hospital Universitário da Universidade de São Paulo. MÉTODOS: A análise de 4.000 prontuários de crianças hospitalizadas por pneumonia de novembro de 1986 a novembro de 1996 mostrou que 115 crianças apresentaram um total de 117 casos de empiema que necessitaram de intervenção cirúrgica. Os autores analisaram os dados clínicos das crianças, correlacionando os achados radiológicos, o estado nutricional e a situação vacinal das crianças. Terapias antimicrobianas prévias e bacterioscopia do derrame pleural também foram analisadas. RESULTADOS: Streptococcus pneumoniae foi o agente mais encontrado, tanto nas hemoculturas quanto nos derrames pleurais. DISCUSSAO: A cobertura vacinal, o peso ao nascimento e o estado nutricional das crianças estudadas foram analisados e comparados aos dados encontrados em outras publicações. Observamos que derrames pleurais causam desconforto importante e, na maioria dos casos, não se trata de complicação do primeiro episódio infeccioso do aparelho respiratório. O uso prévio de antibióticos alterou o resultado das culturas. O achado de Streptococcus pneumoniae como o agente mais freqüentemente encontrado está de acordo com os resultados de outros autores. No entanto, os antibióticos utilizados após a realização do procedimento são os mesmos utilizados em pneumonias não-complicadas, fato que nos levou a concluir que a pior evolução desses casos não se deve à resistência dos agentes aos antimicrobianos. CONCLUSAO: O perfil bacteriano na nossa série de casos é semelhante ao descrito para pneumonias não complicadas. Novos estudos serão necessários para se determinar o motivo da pior evolução dessas crianças.

Intrapleural streptokinase in complicated parapneumonic effusions and empyema.

BACKGROUND: The management of complicated parapneumonic effusions (CPE) and empyema by chest tube drainage usually fails because of thick viscous fluid and multiple pleural space loculations. The use of intrapleural fibrinolytic agents facilitates pleural drainage and can obviate the need for more invasive surgical interventions in these types of effusions. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy with streptokinase (STK) as an adjunctive therapy in the management of CPE and empyema. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty patients of CPE and empyema were considered for intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy when the chest tubes/catheter drainage became insignificant (i.e., less than 50 ml a day) and the tube was adequately positioned and patent. Intrapleural STK was administered eight hourly in the dosage of 2,50,000 IU in 50 ml of saline. The end points were volume of fluid drained and radiological resolution. RRESULTS:There were 24 (80%) patients with CPE and six (20%) with empyema, with a mean age of 35 years. The median of STK doses used were three in 26 (87%) cases and two in four (13%) cases. There was significant drainage (mean +/- SD) 1094 ml +/- 116 and radiological resolution in 26 (87%) cases. The only complication observed was transient chest pain in one and fever in two patients. CCONCLUSION:Intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy with STK is a safe and effective adjunctive therapy in the management of CPE and empyema.

The Effects of Urokinase Instillation Therapy via Percutaneous Transthoracic Catheter in Loculated Tuberculous Pleural Effusion: A Randomized Prospective Study

The purpose of this study was to propose that intrapleural urokinase (UK) instillation could reduce pleural thickening in the treatment of loculated tuberculous pleural effusion. Forty- three patients who were initially diagnosed as having loculated tuberculous pleural effusion were assigned at random to receive either the combined treatment of UK instillation including anti-tuberculosis agents (UK group, 21 patients) or strictly the unaccompanied anti-tuberculous agents (control group, 22 patients). The UK group received 100, 000 IU of UK dissolved in 150 ml of normal saline daily, introduced into the pleural cavity via a pig-tail catheter. The control group was treated with anti-tuberculous agents, excepting diagnostic thoracentesis. After the cessation of treatment, residual pleural thickening (RPT) was compared between the two groups. Clinical characteristics and pleural fluid biochemistry were also evaluated. The RPT (4.59 +/-5.93 mm) of the UK group was significantly lower than that (18.6 +/-26.37 mm) of the control group (p or = 10 mm (6.0 +/- 3.4 wks) was detected to be significantly longer than in those with RPT or = 10 mm, as compared to patients with RPT< 10 mm in the UK group. These results indicate that the treatment of loculated tuberculous pleural effusion with UK instillation via percutaneous transthoracic catheter can cause a successful reduction in pleural thickening.

Derrame pleural: uma complicação extra-intestinal da doença de Crohn / Pleural effusion: an extraintestinal complication of Crohn's disease

Paciente de 34 anos, portadora de doença de Crohn (DC) havia oito anos, foi atendida queixando-se de dor torácica e febre, sem manifestações gastrointestinais. Testes laboratoriais mostraram atividade inflamatória (VHS = 45mm, PCR positivo). O exame físico revelou derrame pleural na base do hemitórax esquerdo, confirmado pela radiografia de tórax. A análise do líquido pleural mostrou 100 por cento de linfócitos, com BAAR negativo. A biópsia pleural evidenciou granuloma não caseoso. Foi instituída terapia para tuberculose, sem sucesso, com regressão dos sintomas apenas após reintrodução de altas doses de corticosteróide, sugerindo atividade da DC como causa do derrame pleural

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis in children-report of one case.

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis is rare in pediatric patients. The three main manifestations, defined by Klein et al. in 1970, were (a) predominant mucosal, (b) predominant muscular-layer, and (c) predominant subserosal disease. The predominant subserosal type is the rarest of the three. We report on a 43-month-old boy who, on admission, suffered from recurrent abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea for one week, with ascites and pleural effusion noted. The white blood cell (WBC) count of ascites fluid was 8,000/mm3, with a differential count of 99% eosinophils. The peripheral WBC count was 44,000/mm3, with 78% eosinophils. Three days after diagnosis, ascites, pleural effusion and other gastrointestinal symptoms were gradually relieved using steroid therapy, with the peripheral eosinophil count returning to normal. The steroid therapy was discontinued after two months with tapering dose. The boy was in good health with no recurrence of symptoms in a follow-up conducted after one year.

Intrapleural streptokinase in a two-year-old child with a parapneumonic effusion.

A two-year-old child was hospitalised with features of parapneumonic effusion. He was initially managed with parenteral antibiotics and chest tube drainage. After three days drainage became insignificant inspite of chest tube being patent and appropriately positioned. CT scan of chest showed multiloculated effusion. In view of multiloculated effusion it was decided to try intrapleural fibrinolysis with streptokinase. Streptokinase in a dose of 1,25000 IU dissolved in 50 ml of normal saline was instilled through the chest tube daily. After instilling three doses, there was a significant increase in the drainage followed by almost complete radiological resolution. There were no side effects. Intrapleural streptokinase is a useful adjunctive threapeutic modality in the management of complicated parapneumonic effusion or empyema in paediatric patients.