[Purulent pleural effusion in children. About 47 cases]

The authors report retrospectively 47 cases of purulent pleural effusion, collaged in paediatrics department CHU Sahloul Sousse in 11 years [1994-2004]. It's about 30 boys and 17 girls. The symptomatology was dominated by fever, cough and dyspnea. The bacteria is identified in 18 cases: staphylococcus in 11 cases, streptococcus pneumonia in 3 cases and haemophilus in 3. The treatment was based in double antibiotherapy associated with kinetherapy in all cases; the drainage was required in 15 cases. The outcome is good in 38 cases; 7 cases of sequelle were noted. Two children were dead