Empyema
When empyema is defined as a collection of pus in a preformed (mostly natural) body cavity or into a hollow organ . Examples of empyema are the gallbladder empyema , the maxillary sinus empyema, the subdural empyema (in the subdural space ), pulmonary and pleural empyema ( pleural and pleural space) and various joint empyema ( pyarthrosis ).
In contrast, collections of pus without a preformed body cavity are called abscesses . A purulent infection that spreads diffusely in the soft tissues is called phlegmon . An empyema that spreads as an abscess and possibly the outer body wall, e.g. B. the thoracic wall , is called Empyema necessitatis .
In addition to the medical history , physical examination and laboratory diagnostics ( CRP and leukocytes ), examinations such as computed tomography , magnetic resonance tomography or sonography (ultrasound) are helpful for localization .
The treatment is usually surgical remediation (removal) of empyema; it is often necessary to insert a drain and administer antibiotics systemically .
Remarks
- ^ Marianne Abele-Horn: Antimicrobial Therapy. Decision support for the treatment and prophylaxis of infectious diseases. With the collaboration of Werner Heinz, Hartwig Klinker, Johann Schurz and August Stich, 2nd, revised and expanded edition. Peter Wiehl, Marburg 2009, ISBN 978-3-927219-14-4 , p. 68 ( subdural empyema, epidural abscess ).
- ↑ In the case of empyema in the chest, exudative pleural effusions can also occur. See Berthold Jany, Tobias Welte: Pleural effusion in adults - causes, diagnosis and therapy. In: Deutsches Ärzteblatt. Volume 116, No. 21, (May) 2019, pp. 377-385, here: pp. 379-385.
