Monday, October 19, 2009

Monday October 19, 2009


Question: What is Empyema necessitans?

Answer: Empyema necessitans is a rare complication of pleural space infections and occurs when the infected fluid dissects spontaneously into the chest wall from the pleural space. This process may result from bronchopleural extension of a peripheral lung infection. These cases result from inadequate treatment of an empyema and usually occur after a necrotizing pneumonia or pulmonary abscess.





XX-year-old male intravenous drug user with "empyema necessitans".
CT image shows empyema and draining chest wall abscess

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