Pleural effusions complicate up to 57% of bacterial pneumonias. They vary in severity, ranging from uncomplicated effusions to empyema. Some require only antibiotics and observation, while others ...

DURING the past fifteen years there has been a dramatic decline in the incidence of empyema. This decrease is related to the early treatment of pneumonia with antibiotics, frequently outside hospitals ...

Chest tube drainage is the first step in the management of complicated pleural effusions that have turned into empyema. In cases where adequate drainage cannot be provided or deloculation is required, ...