Características clínicas y laboratoriales del derrame pleural paraneumónico y empiema en niños de 1-14 años en el Servicio de Pediatría del Hospital Carrión año 2007 - 2013 / Clinical and laboratory characteristics of parapneumonic pleural effusion and empyema in children aged 1-14 years in the Pediatrics Service at the Hospital Carrion year 2007 - 2013

Describir las características clínicas y laboratoriales del derrame pleural paraneumónico y del empiema en niños de 1 a 14 años hospitalizados en el Servicio de Pediatría del HNDAC de Enero 2007-Diciembre 2013. Materiales y Métodos: Estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo, transversal, en pacientes desde 1 mes de edad hasta 14 años con 11 meses y 29 días, que ingresaron al Servicio de Hospitalización de Pediatría del HNDAC con diagnóstico de derrame pleural paraneumónico y/o empiema, desde el 01 de Enero del 2007 hasta el 31 de Diciembre del 2013. Resultados: En los 7 años de estudio hubo 32 casos (74.4 por ciento del total) de derrame pleural paraneumónico y 11 (25.6 por ciento) de empiema, haciendo una prevalencia de 1.1 por ciento y 0.4 por ciento respectivamente. El compromiso en el empiema fue a predominio izquierdo, y derecho en el derrame. Todos los casos tuvieron más de 4 días de evolución, el rango de fiebre se encontró entre 39 y 40 grados C. Hubo diferencia estadísticamente significativa en el promedio de días de hospitalización, a favor del empiema, asimismo el valor promedio de leucocitos, abastonados y PCR, fue significativamente superior en éstos. En ambos grupos el mayor porcentaje de pacientes presentó leucocitos entre 15000 y 25000, y la mayoría de pacientes presentó PCR superior o igual a 15. El cultivo de líquido pleural resultó positivo en el 50 por ciento de los casos de empiema. El Streptococcus pneumoniae fue el germen aislado con mayor frecuencia. En el empiema el grupo etario de 1 a 2 años fue el más común, mientras que en el derrame pleural paraneumónico lo fue el grupo de 5 a 14 años. Conclusiones: La prevalencia del derrame pleural paraneumónico en niños con diagnóstico de neumonía adquirida en la comunidad fue 1.1 por ciento, mientras que en el empiema, 0.4 por ciento. En el empiema fue más común el compromiso izquierdo, y en el derrame el derecho. Todos los casos tuvieron 5 a más días de tiempo de enfermedad, y presentaron...

To describe the clinical and laboratory characteristics of parapneumonic pleural and empyema in children aged 1-14 years hospitalized at the HNDAC Department of Pediatrics from January 2007-December 2013. Materials and Methods: A descriptive, retrospective, cross-sectional study in patients from 1 month of age to 14 years and 11 months and 29 days, admitted to HNDAC Hospitalization Department of Pediatrics diagnosed with parapneumonic pleural effusion and/or empyema, from January 1st 2007 until December 31st 2013. Results: In the seven years of study there were 32 cases (74.4 per cent of total) of parapneumonic pleural effusion, and 11 (25.6 per cent) of empyema, with a prevalence of 1.1 per cent and 0.4 per cent respectively. The location of the empyema was on the left side, and in the effusion was on the right side. All cases had more than 4 days of evolution, fever range was between 39 and 40 degrees C. There was statistically significant difference in the average of number of days of hospitalization for the empyema, also the average value of leukocytes, banded neutrophils and CRP was significantly higher in these. In both groups the highest percentage of patients had leukocytes between 15000 and 25000, and most of the patients had CRP value higher or equal than 15. CRP pleural fluid culture was positive in 50 per cent of cases of empyema. Streptococcus pneumoniae was the most frequently isolated germ. The age group of 1-2 years was the most common in empyema, while in the parapneumonic pleural effusion was the group of 5-14 years. Conclusions: The prevalence of in children diagnosed with community-acquired pneumonia was 1.1 per cent, while in empyema, 0.4 per cent. In empyema was more common the left side, and the right side in parapneumonic pleural effusion. All cases had 5 or more days of sickness, and had fever (39.2 degrees C average in empyema, and 39.1 degrees C in parapneumonic pleural effusion), being the range of 39-40 degrees C...

Neumonía complicada en pediatría, su manejo: un reto / Treatment of empyema thoracis and necrotizing pnueumonia in children

Complicated pneumonia with pleural effusion or empyema is a condition that its incidence has been increasing in recent years. Its early diagnosis and timely management reduce costs and shorten hospital stays for patients. The optimized diagnostic aids treatments. In recent years the intervention and fibrinolytic substances as VATS surgery have opened a positive outlook in handling controversies exist yet at the time of application. This article reviews these aspects.

La neumonía complicada con derrame pleural o empiema es una patología que ha ido incrementando su incidencia en los últimos años. Su diagnóstico temprano y su manejo oportuno disminuyen los costos y acortan las estancias hospitalarias de los pacientes. Las ayudas diagnósticas optimizan los tratamientos. En los últimos años la intervención con sustancias fibrinolíticas y las intervenciones quirúrgicas como la videotoracoscopia han abierto un panorama positivo en el manejo sin embargo, existen controversias en el momento de su aplicación. Este artículo hace una revisión de estos aspectos.

Empiema pleural en 343 casos con tratamiento quirúrgico: características, resultados inmediatos y factores asociados a morbilidad y mortalidad / Pleural empyema: retrospective review of 343 patients

Background: Pleural empyema still has a dismal prognosis. Aim: To describe features and prognostic factors of patients with pleural empyema subjected to surgical procedures. Material and Methods: Retrospective review of 343 patients with pleural empyema (mean age 52 years, 71 percent males), that were subjected to any type of surgical procedure. Criteria for diagnosis of empyema were a positive culture, a fluid pH of less than 7.2 or a compatible macroscopic appearance of the fluid. Results: Empyema was secondary to pneumonia in 243 patients (71 percent, secondary to surgical procedures in 41 patients (12 percent), secondary to trauma in 19 patients (5.5 percent), secondary to a lung abscess in 10 patients (3 percent), tuberculous in 10 patients (3 percent), neoplastic in two cases (0.6 percent), secondary to pneumothorax in 2 cases (0.6 percent) and of unknown origin in 13 patients (4 percent). A microorganism was isolated from pleural fluid in 89 patients (26 percent). The surgical procedures performed were 251 decortications by thoracotomy (73 percent), 70 pleurotomies (20 percent), 11 video assisted surgeries (3 percent), seven decortications with lung resections and four fenestrations. Complications were recorded in 104 patients (30 percent), 29 patients were re-operated (8.5 percent) and 31 died (10 percent), all due to sepsis. Conclusions: The main cause of pleural empyema is pneumonia. In most patients, microorganisms are not isolated from pleural fluid, thoracotomy with decortication is the most frequent surgical procedure. There is a high rate of complications and mortality.

Objetivos: Describir características, resultados inmediatos y evaluar factores asociados a morbi-mortalidad de Empiema Pleural (EP) con tratamiento quirúrgico. Método: Revisión retrospectiva. Período: enero 2000 - agosto 2006. Se describen características, resultados inmediatos y factores asociados a morbi-mortalidad. Se utilizó programa SPSS 15.0. Se consideró significativo p < 0,05. Resultados: 343 pacientes, 243 (70,8 por ciento) hombres (relación 2,4:1), edad promedio 51,7 años. Etiología: 242 (70,6 por ciento) paraneumónico, 41 (12,0 por ciento) postquirúrgico, 19 (5,5 por ciento) postraumático, 10 (2,9 por ciento) absceso pulmonar, 10 (2,9 por ciento) tuberculoso, 6 (1,7 por ciento) neoplásico, 2 (0,6 por ciento) neumotórax y 13 (3,8 por ciento) desconocido. Se aisló germen en líquido pleural en 89 (25,9 por ciento). Se realizaron: 251 (73,2 por ciento) decorticaciones por toracotomía, 70 (20,4 por ciento) pleurotomías, 11 (3,2 por ciento) cirugías video-asistidas, 7 (2,1 por ciento) decorticaciones con resección pulmonar y 4 (1,2 por ciento) fenestraciones. Presentaron complicaciones 104 (30,3 por ciento) pacientes. Se reoperaron 29 (8,5 por ciento). Fallecieron 31 (9,6 por ciento), todos por sepsis. Se encontraron variables asociadas a morbi-mortalidad. Conclusiones: El EP tiene como causa más frecuente el empiema paraneumónico seguido de los postoperatorios, en la mayoría no se identifican gérmenes en líquido pleural. La toracotomía con decorticación es el procedimiento quirúrgico más frecuente. El EP tiene una considerable morbi-mortalidad. Se identifican variables asociadas a morbilidad y mortalidad.

Etiology of pleural effusion among adults in the State of Qatar: a 1-year hospital-based study

There have been no systematic studies of diseases causing pleural effusion in Qatar. This prospective, hospital-based study involved all adult patients [> 15 years] with pleural effusions who were admitted to referral hospitals over a 1-year period. A total of 200 cases of pleural effusion were identified [152 males and 48 females]; mean age 45.1 [SD 18.5] years. A majority of patients [73.5%] were non-Qataris, mostly from the Asian subcontinent. The most frequent cause of pleural effusions was tuberculosis [32.5%], followed by pneumonia [19%], cancer [15.5%] and cardiac failure [13%]. The most frequent cause of malignant effusion was bronchogenic carcinoma [38.7%], whereas Gram-positive organisms were the most frequent isolates from empyema fluid [62.5%]. Histological examination and culture of pleural biopsy were the most useful diagnostic workup for tuberculosis effusions, whereas repeated cytological examination of pleural fluid and pleural biopsy were most useful for malignant effusions

Empiema causado por Salmonella typhimurium / Pleural empyema caused by Salmonella typhimurium: a case report

Salmonella species are commonly associated with acute gastroenteritis due to ingestion of contaminated food or water. Extraintestinal infections are less frequent, and most of them occur in immunocompromised patients. We report a case of pleural empyema caused by Salmonella typhimurium, without previous diarrhea or fever. The patient evolved favorably after receiving adequate treatment.

El género Salmonella se caracteriza por causar infecciones en el tracto gastrointestinal, debido a la ingesta de alimentos o agua contaminada. También puede causar, con menor frecuencia, infecciones localizadas en diferentes órganos; esto se asocia con inmunodepresión. En este caso se describe un paciente con infección pleuropulmonar por Salmonella typhimurium, que no reportó antecedentes de diarrea previa. Evolucionó favorablemente con tratamiento adecuado.

Empiema pleural causado por tricomonas: caso clínico / Pleural empyema caused by trichomonas: case report

Pleural empyema formation is one of the potential complications of lower respiratory tract infections and it is characterized by bacterial organisms seen on gram stain or the aspiration of pus on thoracentesis. Very rarely empyema can be caused by trichomonas species, of which Trichomonas Tenax appears to be the most common cause. In this article we report the case of a 51-year-old man who developed a pleural empyema caused by trichomonas, and review the available literature of this rare infection of unknown incidence and uncertain pathogenetic significance. Our patient was treated with metronidazole, however complete cure was not achieved and pulmonary decortication was necessary for the successful outcome. As far as we know, this is the first case of pleural empyema caused by trichomonas reported in Chile.

La formación de un empiema pleural es una de las potenciales complicaciones de las infecciones de la vía aérea inferior, y se caracteriza por la observación de bacterias en la tinción de Gram, o la aspiración de pus en la toracocentesis. Muy infrecuentemente el empiema puede ser causado por alguna de las especies de tricomonas, de las cuales Trichomonas Tenax parece ser la causa más común. En este artículo, reportamos el caso de un hombre de 51 años que desarrolló un empiema pleural causado por tricomonas, y revisamos la literatura disponible de esta rara infección, de incidencia desconocida, y significancia patogénica incierta. Nuestro paciente fue tratado con metronidazol, observándose sólo una respuesta parcial, necesitándose decorticación pulmonar para una recuperación completa. Hasta donde sabemos, este es el primer caso de empiema pleural causado por tricomonas reportado en Chile.

Thoracic empyema: cause and treatment outcome at Gondar University Teaching Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia

Background: Despite improved antimicrobial therapy and multiple options for drainage of infected pleural space, thoracic empyema (TE) continues to cause significant morbidity and mortality. The objectives of this study were to assess the causes and treatment outcome of patients with thoracic empyema. Methods: Patients aged ≥ 13year with TE who were admitted to Gondar University Teaching Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia, from Nov 1999 to Dec 2007 were included. Retrospectively, medical records were reviewed and demographic and clinical data were collected. Results: Records of 81 patients were analyzed; majority (82%) were below the age 50 year. The mean duration of symptoms prior to presentation and hospital stay was 97.4 and 38days, respectively. HIV/AIDS was detected in 60%. Causes of empyema were pulmonary tuberculosis (56%), pneumonia (36%) and lung abscess (7%). Closed chest tube was inserted in 86% of cases and was successful in 93% of them. Case-fatality was 12% and poor outcome occurred in 26%. Conclusions: Early identification of TE and aggressive management with antibiotics or antituberculosis, drainage with chest tube, and surgical treatment when closed tube drainage fails is recommended to improve the high mortality and morbidity

Empiema pleural: etiología, tratamiento y complicaciones / Therapy of empyema: retrospective review of 77 patients

Background: Empyema can cause significant medical problems, despite the advances in antimicrobial and surgical treatments. Aim: To compare the results of different therapeutic approaches to empyema. Material and Methods: Retrospective review of medical records of 77 patients with empyema (aged 53 +/- 20 years, 48 males) treated in a clinical hospital between 1994 and 2007. Results: In 74 percent of patients the cause of empyema was pneumonia. Thirty two were initially managed with percutaneous pleurostomy. Seven of these required and additional intervention due to residual empyema. Eleven patients were managed with open thoracotomy and 34 with video assisted thoracoscopy. Complications for percutaneous pleurostomy, open thoracotomy and video assisted thoracoscopy were 34, 36 and 12 percent respectively. The figures for mortality were 25, 0 and 0 percent respectively. Patients subjected to video assisted thoracoscopy required less days with a pleural tube than those subjected to percutaneous pleurostomy or open thoracotomy (5,5-14,3 and 12,4 days respectively). Conclusions: Video assisted thoracoscopy had the best therapeutic results for empyema in this series of patients.

Introducción: Definido como la presencia de infección bacteriana en el espacio pleural, determina una importante morbimortalidad a pesar de los avances en el tratamiento antibiótico y las nuevas técnicas quirúrgicas. Objetivos: Comparar resultados de las distintas estrategias terapéuticas para el Empiema Pleural (EP). Material y Métodos: Revisión retrospectiva de fichas clínicas de pacientes con diagnóstico de EP manejados en el Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile entre enero de 1994 y junio de 2007. Se consideró significación estadística con p < 0,05. Resultados: De 77 pacientes, 48 fueron hombres y 29 mujeres, con edad promedio de 52,6 +/- 19,9 años. La causa más frecuente de EP fue la neumonía (74 por ciento). En 55 pacientes se realizaron exámenes imagenológicos complementarios a la radiografía de tórax. Treinta y dos pacientes se manejaron inicialmente con pleurostomía percutánea (PP). Siete de ellos requirieron una nueva intervención por empiema residual. Once se manejaron con toracotomía abierta (TA) y 34 con Toracoscopia Vídeo asistida (TVA). La tasa de complicaciones y mortalidad fue: 34,37 por ciento y 25 por ciento para PP, 11,7 por ciento y 0 por ciento para TVA y 36,36 por ciento y 0 por ciento para TA, respectivamente (diferencias significativas). El tiempo de hospitalización promedio fue de 22,8 días, y el de tubo pleural de 9,21 días. Se encontró diferencias significativas entre los días con tubo pleural de los pacientes sometidos a TVA (X = 5,56) respecto de los sometidos a PP (X = 14,24) y TA (X = 12,4). No se observan diferencias en tiempo de hospitalización. Conclusiones: La TVA demuestra obtener mejores resultados que la PP y la TA al evaluar mortalidad, complicaciones y días de tubo pleural.

Thoracic empyema due to Candida albicans.

Few cases of empyema thoracis due to Candida species have been reported from the world and India. A 46-year-old male with esophageal carcinoma, who had taken radiotherapy, presented with fever and dyspnea. The chest X-ray showed findings suggestive of empyema. The diagnosis was confirmed by culturing Candida albicans from aspirated fluid and blood culture. The patient responded to antifungal treatment. High index of suspicion is required to diagnose such rare cases.

Empiema y efusión pleural en niños / Empyema and pleural efussion in children

Introducción: El empiema pleural (EP) es una complicación grave de la neumonía adquirida en la comunidad (NAC). Objetivos: Describir las características de los pacientes hospitalizados por EP en el Servicio de Pediatría del Hospital de la Universidad Católica durante el período 2000-2005. Se identificaron 86 hospitalizaciones por NAC con efusión pleural, practicándose en 59 (70 por ciento), al menos una toracocentesis. Se consideró EP a la presencia de pus, tinción de Gram con bacterias, cultivo positivo o pH < 7,10 en el líquido pleural, siendo las efusiones para-neumónicas los controles. Resultados: Se analizaron 24 EP y 25 controles [promedio 2,9 años (rango: 8 meses - 14,3 años)], 78 por ciento de edad inferior a 5 años con diferencia entre los grupos EP y controles [1,6 vs 3,3 años, respectivamente (p = 0,01)]. El promedio global (días) de síntomas previo al ingreso en los EP fue 7 (rango: 2-21), siendo los más frecuentes fiebre (100 por ciento) y tos (96 por ciento). Se identificó algún microorganismo en 15/24 EP, Streptococcus pneumoniae fue el más frecuente (n: 9). En 48 niños, el manejo inicial fue conservador, requiriéndose cuatro rescates quirúrgicos luego del cuarto día. El promedio (días) de hospitalización fue significativamente superior en el grupo EP vs controles [15 (rango: 5-38) vs 9 (rango: 3-16) (p < 0,01)]. Requirieron drenaje pleural 83 por ciento del grupo EP y 36 por ciento de los controles (p = 0,002). No hubo diferencia en el número de días de empleo de oxígeno [6 vs 4,5 (p = 0,36)] o drenaje pleural [3 vs 2,5 (p = 0,29)]. No se registraron fallecidos. Conclusión: El EP en niños fue una condición respiratoria aguda que se asoció a estadías hospitalarias prolongadas, especialmente en los de menor edad, no requiriéndose, en la mayoría, una intervención quirúrgica de rescate.

Introduction: Pleural empyema (PE) is a serious complication of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Objectives: To describe the clinical profile of hospitalized patients with PE in the pediatric ward of the Catholic University Hospital between 2000-2005. Patients y methods: Retrospectively, all pediatric admission due to CAP and pleural effusion (86 children) were identified. In 59 (70 percent) children > 1 thoracocentesis were performed. We considered PE as the presence in the pleural effusion of pus, and/or a positive gram strain and/ or positive culture, and/or a pH < 7.10. Children with effusions not meeting any criteria were used as controls. Results: Twenty four PE and 25 controls were identified, with a global mean age of 2.9 years (range: 8 months to 14.3 years); 78 percent were < 5 years, with a significant difference between PE and controls [1.6 vs 3.3 years (p = 0.01)]. The mean duration of symptoms in PE patients before admission was 7 days (range: 2-21), and the most frequent symptoms were fever (100 percent) and cough (96 percent). In 15/24 cases a microorganism was identified being Streptococcus pneumoniae (n = 9) the most common. In 48 patients management was conservative and in 4 surgical procedures were required. The mean duration of hospitalization was significantly higher in the PE group vs controls group: 15 (range: 5-38) vs 9 days (range 3-16) (p < 0.01). A chest tube was inserted in 83 percent of children with EP compared with 36 percent in the control group (p = 0.002). There were no difference in number of days of oxygen use [6 vs 4.5 (p = 0.36)] or number of chest tubes per child [3 vs 2.5 (p = 0.29)]. No deaths were reported. Conclusion: PE in children represented an acute respiratory event associated with more prolonged hospitalization especially at younger ages; the majority of cases did not require surgical intervention.

Procedimientos quirúrgicos en 156 casos de derrame pleural: resultados inmediatos / Surgical procedures in 156 cases of pleural effusion: immediate results

Introducción: el derrame pleural es una entidad clínica frecuente, su estudio y manejo son importantes para resolverlo. El objetivo fue evaluar los resultados inmediatos de los procedimientos diagnósticos y terapéuticos en casos consecutivos de derrame pleural. Material y métodos: durante un periodo de 12 meses, de 787 pacientes hospitalizados, 156 (19.8 %) presentaron derrame pleural. También se evaluaron 22 casos de neumotórax considerados como derrame gaseoso y 10 con empiema crónico. Resultados y discusión: en 23 casos no neoplásicos, la toracentesis diagnóstica y evacuadora resolvió el derrame. El drenaje con sonda intrapleural conectada a sello de agua se practicó en 133: en 109 (81.9 %) se resolvió el derrame y en 24 se practicaron otros procedimientos. En este grupo el derrame fue neoplásico en 35 y no neoplásico en 98, incluidos 36 iatrogénicos; 22 casos de neumotórax se consideraron como derrame gaseoso y fueron tratados con sonda intrapleural; 10 casos de empiema crónico fueron estudiados como secuelas de derrames, no fueron resueltos con los procedimientos mencionados. Hubo diferencia significativa entre derrames neoplásicos y no neoplásicos (p = 0.001), y entre casos manejados con procedimientos de invasión mínima y sonda intrapleural (p = 0.001), por comparación de proporciones. Se comenta la utilidad de la pleurodesis y la toracoscopia en el tratamiento del derrame. En casos crónicos la toracostomía en ventana y mioplastia consecutiva tienen indicación precisa. Conclusiones: el diagnóstico y tratamiento oportunos del derrame pleural son importantes. La colocación de sonda pleural resuelve la mayoría de los casos (89.9 %). El neumotórax debe ser igualmente manejado. El empiema crónico requiere toracostomía en ventana y mioplastia. Las maniobras descuidadas o inadecuadas provocan derrames de naturaleza iatrogénica.

BACKGROUND: Pleural effusion is a common clinical entity. Proper diagnosis and management are important for successful treatment. We undertook this study to evaluate immediate results of the procedures used in a group of cases with pleural effusion. METHODS: Of 2589 patients at first consultation, 787 were hospitalized and 156 had pleural effusion. Diagnostic and therapeutic procedures used were evaluated. RESULTS: With thoracentesis and evacuation of liquid, 23 nonneoplastic cases had resolution. Chest tube drainage with water seal was performed in 133 patients. This procedure suppressed the effusion in 109 patients, but in 24 patients another approach was necessary. In this group there were 35 neoplastic and 96 nonmalignant cases, the latter 36 were provoked by iatrogenic management. Twenty two cases of pneumothorax considered as gaseous effusion and 10 cases of chronic empyema sequelae of pleural effusions were also studied. Proportion comparison demonstrated significant differences between neoplastic and nonneoplastic effusions (p =0.001) and in cases managed with minimally invasive procedures and chest tube drainage (p =0.001). The performance of pleurodesis and thoracoscopy is discussed. In chronic cases, indications of open window thoracostomy and myoplasty are elucidated. CONCLUSIONS: In pleural effusion, opportune diagnosis and proper management are essential. Drainage tube can solve the majority of cases. Pneumothorax must be treated in the same way. In chronic empyema, open window thoracostomy and myoplasty are indicated. Careless patient management and poor treatment lead to iatrogenic complications.

Derrame pleural parapneumônico e empiema / Parapneumonic effusion and empyema

O derrame infeccioso, uma das causas mais freqüentes de derrame pleural obervados na pratica clinica, é um sinal de complicação do quadro pneumônico. O reconhecimento precoce do derrame parapneumônico é fundamental para determinar a melhor forma de tratamento, reduzindo o risco de morbidade e mortalidade. A evolução dos métodos diagnósticos e a experiência dos diversos estudos publicados na literatura permitiram estabelecer diretrizes baseadas em evidencias que orientam a conduta de abordagem terapêutica do derrame parapneumônico e empiema.

The infectious effusion, one of the most frequent causes of pleural effusions in the clinical practice, is a sign of complication of the pneumonic disease. The early recognition of the parapneumonic effusion is crucial to determine the best treatment form and reduce the risk of morbidity and mortality. The evolution in the diagnostic methods and the contribution of several studies published in the literature allowed to establish evidence-based guidelines that are used to guide the treatment of the parapneumonic pleural effusion and empyema.

Role of decortication in cases of empyema thoracis in childhood - a case series

The aim was to analyze role of decortication in managing progressive empyema thoracis in children at our hospitals. The study included cases of empyema thoracis admitted at CH and ICH Lahore from May 1999 to November 2000. Total No. of patients included was fifty eight. There were 36 males and 22 females with a mean age of 4 years. Common presentation was fever, chest pain and cough. Mean duration of symptoms was 3 weeks Out of 58 patients 24 underwent decortication because fever and drainage of pus were not settling down. All the patients in decortication group were cured .34 patients responded well to medical treatment and tube thoracostomy commonest cause of empyema was pneumonia and tuberculosis. If the empyema is not setting down, early surgical intervention e.g. decortication should be instituted. Early referral of all empyema patients to thoracic units for definitive therapy is strongly recommended

Management of empyema thoracis-Peshawar experience of 450 patients

To observe the various clinical presentations of empyema thoracis and evaluate its management and outcome. An observational descriptive study. Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Postgraduate Medical Institute, Lady Reading Hospital from June 2001 to June 2004. Clinical record of 450 patients who underwent various surgical procedures during 3 years were retrospectively analyzed. Detailed scrutiny of record was carried out to analyze the clinical presentation; various surgical procedures and outcome. There were 270 [60%] male and 180 [40%] female patients. Majority of the patients 310 [68.8%] were in the age range of 20 - 40 years. Common presentation was fever [62%]; cough [26%] and chest pain [11%]. The duration of symptoms was less than 8 weeks in 57% and more than 8 weeks in 42% cases. Common etiologies were pneumonia [31%], post tuberculous [37.7%], traumatic [24%] and iatrogenic [6.6%]. Tube thoracostomy was the initial l ine of management in 200 patients. Decortication was required in 200 patients while 50 patients needed thoracoplasty to obliterate persistent residual pleural space. The mortality was 4% [18/450]. Thirty one [7%] had wound infection, air leak in 18 [4%], wound dehiscence in 9 [2%] and septicemia in 14 [3%] cases. Depending upon the stage, various surgical options exist for the treatment of thoracic empyema. Selection of the most appropriate procedure must be individualized but the basic principle is evacuation of pus from the pleural space, appropriate antibiotic therapy and obliteration of empyema cavity

Empiema pleural por Streptococcus grupo anginosus en un preescolar y revisión de la literatura / Streptococcus anginosus pleural emphyema in a child: case report and review

Presentamos el caso clínico de un preescolar con antecedente de malformación pulmonar que 43 días tras una neumonectomía izquierda, ingresó al Hospital Padre Hurtado con fiebre de una semana de evolución. En una TAC pulmonar se demostró una gran colección intrapleural izquierda de la que se aisló Streptococcus grupo anginosus y Prevotella spp. Se efectuó tratamiento antimicrobiano con penicilina más clindamicina. Existe gran confusión en la terminología y clasificación de Streptococcus grupo anginosus. En la actualidad no existe duda que es un grupo que posee tres especies, S. anginosus, S. constellatus y S. intermedius. Son parte de la flora normal de orofaringe, nasofaringe, tracto gastrointestinal y vagina. Este grupo ha sido reconocido como causa de infecciones supurativas en niños y adultos. La mayoría de las cepas se describen como susceptibles a penicilina; sin embargo, existen reportes que sugieren la emergencia de resistencia. Se discuten las recomendaciones actuales para el diagnóstico e informe microbiológicos.

clinical utility of intrapleural streptokinase in a patient with bilateral pleural empyema

Bilateral thoracic empyema is a rare clinical entity particularly when presented as an initial clinical manifestation. Antibiotic therapy with intercostal thoracostomy drainage tube of the infected pleural space in complicated parapneumonic empyema may not be adequate in many conditions due to multiloculation and adhesion. We describe in this case a previously healthy middle aged male, presented with a bilateral thoracic empyema that was treated initially with antibiotics and intercostal drainage tube without optimal drainage results. The administration of twice daily intrapleural streptokinase prolonged for the duration of more than 10 days proved to be safe and effective as an alternative line of management in such a clinical condition

Trauma torácico: importância da antibioticoterapia sobre o tempo de internaçäo / Thoracic trauma: the importance of antibiotic therapy about the lenght of stay

No que tange a comprovada eficácia da drenagem pleural fechada, grande controvérsia ainda persiste em relaçäo ao uso associado da antibioticoterapia. Os autores estudaram 167 pacientes, com trauma isolado do tórax, com objetivo de avaliar a importância do uso do antibiótico sobre o tempo de internaçäo pós-drenagem pleural fechada. Dois grupos de pacientes foram incluídos num estudo longitudinal e prospectivo de acompanhamento de coortes. O grupo controle incluiu 104 pacientes sem uso da antibioticoterapia; no grupo experimental, 63 pacientes receberam a cefalotina sódica no pós-operatório (500 mg IV - 6/6 h). Entre os pacientes estudados, 12 (7.2 por cento) apresentavam trauma fechado; 98 (58.6 por cento), ferimento por arma branca; 41 (24.6 por cento) ferida por projétil de arma de fogo e, 16 (9.6 por cento) lesöes por outros agentes vulnerantes. Entre os pacientes do grupo controle o tempo médio de permanência hospitalar foi de 5.7 +/- 3.2 dias e, no grupo com antibiótico, 5.7 +/- 2.9 dias. Os resultados mostraram que nos pacientes que näo receberam antibiótico e evoluíram com algum tipo de complicaçäo pleuropulmonar, o tempo de internaçäo foi, em média, 3.2 dias maior que nos demais.

Empyema thoracits in children: results of tube thoracostomy and decortication

Empyema thoracis is a common surgical complication of pneumonia. Various modes of treatment are described for the management of this condition. This study describes results of different modes of management of empyema thoracis. During a period of one year, 25 patients of post pneumonic empyema thoracis were managed at the Department of Paediatric Surgery at National Institute of Child Health [NICH], Karachi. There were 11 male and 14 female patients. Majority of patients [56%] was under five years of age. Tube thoracostomy resulted in expansion of lungs in 12 cases [Group I], while decortication was performed in 13 patients [Group II]. Lobectomy was performed in one case. Complications were noted in: a] patients who presented late with organized stage, b] patients in whom air leaks persisted for longer duration and c] in whom lung expansion was also delayed. One patient in this series died. At follow-up asymmetry of chest wall was noted in 5 patients of Group II. The hospital stay of Group I patients on average was 11.8 days in comparison to Group II where it was 31.3 days. The postdecortication stay average was 14 days. Tube thoracostomy in early stage of disease results in expansion of lung in most of the cases. Decortication is well tolerated in children and procedure related complications are few, therefore, decortication should not be delayed if no or partial response is observed in patients with tube thoracostomy