Abstract
Pleural infection is a disease of historical importance and is still a modern menace, with incidences rising in adults and children, and a significant mortality in adults. Basic research is hampered by limitations with in vivo models, and the bacteriology of empyema is complex. The role of thoracic ultrasound in guiding investigation and drainage of empyema is clear. Prompt treatment with appropriate systemic antibiotics and chest tube drainage are the key; in cases of failure of these measures, thoracic surgery is of proven efficacy in the treatment of this age-old disease.
Footnotes
Provenance
Publication of this peer-reviewed article was supported by GlaxoSmithKline, Belgium (principal sponsor, European Respiratory Review issue 117).
Statement of Interest
Y.C.G. Lee is a co-investigator of the British Thoracic Society Multicentre Intrapleural Sepsis Trial 2, which is partly funded by Roche Ltd.
- Received May 25, 2010.
- Accepted May 27, 2010.
- ©ERS 2010
