Empyema of the chest, also known as pyothorax, refers to a medical condition characterized by the accumulation of pus within the pleural space, which is the area between the lungs and the chest wall. It is usually a complication of a pre-existing infection, such as pneumonia or lung abscess, wherein the infection spreads to the pleural space, leading to the formation of pus.
The pleural space normally contains a small amount of fluid that helps lubricate the lungs during breathing. However, in the case of empyema, bacteria or other infectious agents invade the pleural cavity and trigger an inflammatory response. This causes an excessive accumulation of pus, which leads to the thickening of the pleural membranes and compression of the adjacent lung tissue. As a result, the affected individual may experience severe chest pain and difficulty breathing.
To diagnose empyema of the chest, physicians may perform various tests, including physical examination, chest X-ray, ultrasound, or computed tomography (CT) scan. In addition, a sample of the fluid may be obtained through thoracentesis, which involves the insertion of a small needle into the pleural space to collect and analyze the fluid for signs of infection.
Treatment for empyema usually involves a combination of therapies aimed at eradicating the underlying infection and draining the accumulated pus from the chest cavity. This may include antibiotics to target the causative bacteria, thoracentesis or chest tube placement to remove the pus, and sometimes surgical intervention to remove any lung abscesses or infected tissues. If left untreated, empyema can have serious complications, such as the spread of infection to other areas of the body or the development of lung fibrosis.
