An empyema is a collection of pus within a naturally existing anatomical cavity. The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (most commonly known by the abbreviation ICD) provides codes to classify Diseases The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10th Revision ( ICD -10) is a coding of diseases and signs symptoms abnormal findings J00-J99 - Diseases of the respiratory system (J00-J06 Acute upper respiratory infections ( Acute Nasopharyngitis ( Common cold) The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (most commonly known by the abbreviation ICD) provides codes to classify Diseases The following is a list of codes for International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems. The Diseases Database is a free Website that provides information about the relationships between medical conditions Symptoms, and Medications. MedlinePlus, with the MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, is a website network containing Health information from the world's largest medical Library eMedicine is an online clinical medical knowledge base that was founded in 1996 by Scott Plantz and Richard Lavely two medical doctors Medical Subject Headings ( MeSH) is a huge Controlled vocabulary (or metadata system for the purpose of indexing journal articles and books Pus is a whitish-yellow yellow or yellow-brown substance produced during Inflammatory responses of the body that can be found in regions of Pyogenic bacterial It must be differentiated from an abscess, which is a collection of pus in a newly formed cavity. An abscess (abscessus is a collection of Pus (dead Neutrophils) that has accumulated in a cavity formed by the tissue on the basis of an infectious process In human medicine, empyema occurs most frequently in the pleural cavity (see below). Other common locations for empyemas are the uterus (pyometra) and the appendix (appendicitis). Pyometra is a disease of the Uterus most commonly seen in female dogs (bitches but also seen in queens (female Cats, Rabbits Ferrets Appendicitis (or epityphlitis) is a condition characterized by Inflammation of the appendix.

Pleural space empyema

This condition is also known as a pyothorax or purulent pleuritis. Most pleural space empyemas arise from an infection within the lung (pneumonia), often associated with parapneumonic effusions. Pneumonia is an inflammatory illness of the Lung. Frequently it is described as lung Parenchyma / alveolar inflammation and abnormal A parapneumonic effusion is a type of Pleural effusion that arises as a result of a Pneumonia. There are 3 stages: exudative, fibrinopurulent and organizing. In the exudative stage, the pus accumulates. This is followed by the fibrinopurulent stage in which there is loculation of the pleural fluid (the creation of grapelike pus pockets). In the final organizing stage, scarring of the pleural space may lead to lung entrapment.

Symptoms

CT chest showing large right sided hydro-pneumothorax from pleural empyema. Hydropneumothorax implies presence of both air and fluid in the pleural space ( i Arrows A: air, B: fluid

Symptoms of empyema may vary in severity. Typical symptoms include: fever, chest pain or discomfort, cough, sweating and shortness of breath. Fever (also known as pyrexia, from the Greek pyretos meaning fire or a febrile response, from the Latin word Febris In Medicine, chest pain is a Symptom of a number of serious conditions and is generally considered a Medical emergency. In Medicine, a cough ( Latin: tussis) is a sudden and often repetitively occurring defence Reflex which helps to clear the large breathing passages Dyspnea or dyspnoea (pronounced disp-nee-ah, IPA /dɪsp'niə/ from Latin dyspnoea, from Greek dyspnoia from

Clubbing of the fingernails may be present. In Medicine, clubbing, finger clubbing, or digital clubbing is a deformity of the Fingers and fingernails that is associated with a There is a dull percussion note and reduced breath sounds on the affected side of the chest. Other diagnostic tools include chest x-ray, CT scan, and Ultrasonography. X-radiation (composed of X-rays) is a form of Electromagnetic radiation. Computed tomography (CT is a Medical imaging method employing Tomography.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is confirmed by thoracentesis; frank pus may be aspirated from the pleural space. Thoracentesis (also known as thoracocentesis or pleural tap) is an invasive procedure to remove fluid or air from the pleural space The pleural fluid typically has a low pH (<7. 20), low glucose (<60 mg/dL), and contains infectious organisms.

Treatment

Definitive treatment for empyema entails drainage of the infected pleural fluid. A chest tube may be inserted, often using ultrasound guidance. A chest tube ( chest drain or tube thoracostomy) is a flexible plastic tube that is inserted through the side of the chest into the pleural space. Intravenous antibiotics are given. Intravenous therapy or IV therapy is the giving of Liquid substances directly into a Vein. In modern usage an antibiotic is a Chemotherapeutic agent with activity against Microorganisms such as Bacteria, fungi or Protozoa If this is insufficient, surgical debridement of the pleural space may be required. Debridement is a medical term referring to the removal of Dead, damaged or Infected tissue to improve the healing potential of the remaining

External links

• Empyema, Pleuropulmonary at eMedicine
• Images of Empyema from MedPix