Empyema

Case contributed by Stefan Tigges
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Fever and chest pain.

Patient Data

Age: 40 years
Gender: Male
x-ray

Moderate loculated left pleural effusion with left basilar atelectasis.

ct

Moderate loculated left pleural effusion is present with visceral and parietal pleural enhancement. Gas is present in the collection.

Drawing: abscess vs. empyema.

Diagram

Visual explanation for abscess vs. empyema.

Case Discussion

Findings are typical for an empyema, especially the "split pleura" sign. In the absence of instrumentation, gas in the collection indicates the development of a bronchopleural fistula, which is often seen in cases of empyema.

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