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Turk Gogus Kalp Damar Cerrahisi Dergisi Jan 2024Empyema is the infection of the fluid in the pleural space due to different causes. The most common cause of empyema in children is parapneumonic effusion. Although its... (Review)
Review
Empyema is the infection of the fluid in the pleural space due to different causes. The most common cause of empyema in children is parapneumonic effusion. Although its frequency has decreased significantly with the use of antibiotics, it is still a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The main aim in the treatment of empyema is to drain the pleural cavity to provide reexpansion of the compressed lung, to treat the parenchymal infection with appropriate antibiotic therapy, and to prevent complications that may develop in the acute and chronic periods. Treatment options for this disease vary depending on the stage of the disease. Treatment success in childhood empyema detected at an early stage is high. The diagnosis and treatment of empyema in children differs from adults. Due to rapid tissue regeneration in childhood, healing can occur without the need for aggressive treatment options.
PubMed: 38584781
DOI: 10.5606/tgkdc.dergisi.2024.25759 -
Clinical Case Reports Apr 2024Empyema necessitans (EN) is a rare complication of empyema, in which pus accumulates within the pleural space and spreads through the chest wall, leading to the...
Empyema necessitans (EN) is a rare complication of empyema, in which pus accumulates within the pleural space and spreads through the chest wall, leading to the formation of a subcutaneous abscess. This condition presents significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges due to its rarity and potential for serious complications. Here, we present the case of an 8-year-old boy with a history of parapneumonic effusion that was incompletely treated due to a lack of fibrinolytic agent injection. He presented with fever, chills, a productive cough, and left-sided chest pain with yellowish purulent secretions from the left chest wall. The patient was diagnosed with EN caused by , which has occurred due to inadequate treatment and the lack of administration of a fibrinolytic agent injection for the patient. He was treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics, video-assisted thoracic surgery, and a chest tube for complete drainage. The patient showed a smooth and uneventful recovery, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and prompt treatment of EN to avoid further complications. This case report aims to increase awareness among clinicians about the importance of early recognition and appropriate management of EN to improve patient outcomes.
PubMed: 38562573
DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.8697 -
ACG Case Reports Journal Apr 2024Systemic amyloidosis is a multiorgan deposition of misfolded amyloid protein fibrils. The systemic amyloid A protein (AA) amyloidosis type predominantly involves the...
Systemic amyloidosis is a multiorgan deposition of misfolded amyloid protein fibrils. The systemic amyloid A protein (AA) amyloidosis type predominantly involves the kidney and is mostly an under-recognized complication among persons who inject drugs. Gastrointestinal involvement in systemic AA amyloidosis that is associated with illicit drug use is uncommon. In this report, we present a case of a 40-year-old man with history of injection drug use, recurrent skin and soft-tissue infection, and renal AA amyloidosis that presented with painless bloody bowel movement, which initially resolved with conservative management. Upon further evaluation, the patient was found to have empyema that required antibiotic therapy and bilateral pleural drain. His hospital course was further complicated by multiple episodes of hematochezia requiring gastrointestinal consultation. Subsequent gastrointestinal biopsy revealed amyloid deposit.
PubMed: 38560020
DOI: 10.14309/crj.0000000000001311 -
Cureus Feb 2024, an anaerobic bacterium, has been associated with various infections, including prosthetic valve endocarditis, although its role in empyema remains uncommon. This...
, an anaerobic bacterium, has been associated with various infections, including prosthetic valve endocarditis, although its role in empyema remains uncommon. This abstract presents a case report of a patient diagnosed with empyema, highlighting the clinical presentation, diagnostic challenges, and successful treatment strategies. The case underscores the importance of considering unusual pathogens in the context of empyema. We discuss the clinical management, microbiological identification, and outcomes of this rare infection to contribute valuable insights for healthcare practitioners encountering similar cases.
PubMed: 38558678
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.55156 -
Journal of Global Antimicrobial... Jun 2024Streptococcus pyogenes causes superficial infections but can also cause deep-seated infections and toxin-mediated diseases. In the present study, phylogenetic and in...
OBJECTIVES
Streptococcus pyogenes causes superficial infections but can also cause deep-seated infections and toxin-mediated diseases. In the present study, phylogenetic and in silico prediction analyses were performed on an antimicrobial resistant M1S. pyogenes strain causing severe clinical manifestations during the current surge of invasive group A Streptococcus (iGAS) disease.
METHODS
A 40-year-old patient was admitted to the hospital with fever, chest pain and fatigue. Based on the clinical and laboratory findings, a diagnosis of sepsis with disseminated intravascular coagulation, community-acquired pneumonia, pleural empyema and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome was made. Microbial identification was performed by multiplex PCR and conventional culturing. Furthermore, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, whole genome sequencing, phylogenomic analysis and in silico prediction analysis of antimicrobial resistance genes and virulence factors were performed.
RESULTS
S. pyogenes isolates were detected in pleural fluid and sputum of the patient. Both isolates belonged to the M1 lineage of the emm1/ST28 clone, being closely related with an M1 GAS strain from Australia. They exhibited resistance to erythromycin and clindamycin and susceptibility-increased exposure to levofloxacin and carried genes encoding for protein homologues of antibiotic efflux pumps. Moreover, several virulence factors, and a previously described single-nucleotide polymorphism in the 5' transcriptional leader sequence of the ssrA gene, which enhances expression of SpeA, were detected.
CONCLUSIONS
The present antimicrobial-resistant M1S. pyogenes strain represents the first report of this emerging lineage associated with such manifestations of iGAS disease.
Topics: Humans; Streptococcus pyogenes; Shock, Septic; Community-Acquired Infections; Adult; Streptococcal Infections; Empyema, Pleural; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Male; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Phylogeny; Virulence Factors; Whole Genome Sequencing; Levofloxacin; Erythromycin; Clindamycin
PubMed: 38552876
DOI: 10.1016/j.jgar.2024.03.016 -
Journal of Thoracic Disease Feb 2024Hepatic hydrothorax (HH) refers to the presence of a pleural effusion that develops in the context of underlying liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension. It carries a... (Review)
Review
Hepatic hydrothorax (HH) refers to the presence of a pleural effusion that develops in the context of underlying liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension. It carries a high risk of morbidity and mortality, with a median survival of 8-12 months. Diagnosis is usually confirmed by pleural aspiration, demonstrating typical features of a transudative effusion in the absence of co-existent cardio-pulmonary or renal pathology. The clinical presentation is quite variable, with some patients remaining relatively asymptomatic in the presence of small or incidental effusions, while others present with frank respiratory failure requiring pleural intervention. The development of spontaneous bacterial empyema (SBEM) is a significant and not infrequent complication, requiring prompt recognition and treatment. While the mainstay of management is focused on optimising fluid balance through dietary salt restriction and diuretic therapy, liver transplantation remains the definitive treatment option. As such, it is crucial to adopt a multi-disciplinary approach-involving pulmonologists, hepatologists, dieticians, and palliative care physicians-in order to optimise care for this often complex group of patients. This review will discuss the basic pathophysiology of HH, its clinical presentation and diagnosis, as well as the approach to management of HH in clinical practice, focussing on both interventional and non-interventional treatment modalities.
PubMed: 38505059
DOI: 10.21037/jtd-23-1649 -
The Journal of International Medical... Mar 2024Parapneumonic pleural effusions are common in patients with pneumonia. When colonized by pathogenic bacteria or other microorganisms, these effusions can progress to...
Parapneumonic pleural effusions are common in patients with pneumonia. When colonized by pathogenic bacteria or other microorganisms, these effusions can progress to empyema. Additionally, empyema formation may result in extension of the infection into the infradiaphragmatic region, further complicating the clinical scenario. Many subphrenic collections are found to be mesothelial cysts, which are congenital in origin. However, data regarding the potential association between mesothelial diaphragmatic cysts and parapneumonic effusions are limited. We herein describe a toddler with pneumonia complicated by parapneumonic effusion and a lung abscess with a subphrenic collection. After abscess drainage and a full course of antibiotics, imaging revealed clear lung parenchyma with an interval resolution of the effusion and a persistent unchanged subphrenic collection that was confirmed to be mesothelial diaphragmatic cyst. This case highlights the fact that not every subphrenic collection associated with parapneumonic effusion is a communicated collection formed by seeding. Such a collection can instead be an incidental cyst, which is congenital in origin and known as a mesothelial diaphragmatic cyst. A diaphragmatic mesothelial cyst is an uncommon benign congenital cyst that is unrelated to an adjacent parapneumonic effusion. It is usually incidental and can be monitored without invasive intervention.
Topics: Humans; Pleural Effusion; Pneumonia; Lung; Empyema; Cysts
PubMed: 38497143
DOI: 10.1177/03000605241235026 -
Journal of Community Hospital Internal... 2024Clostridia infection outside the gastrointestinal system is rare. Here, we report on a 75-year-old man with history of end-stage renal disease presenting after a...
Clostridia infection outside the gastrointestinal system is rare. Here, we report on a 75-year-old man with history of end-stage renal disease presenting after a syncopal event with lactic acidosis, leukocytosis, and mild hyper-bilirubinemia. Chest imaging revealed a loculated, left-sided pleural effusion; diagnostic thoracentesis identified Clostridia , consistent with an empyema. Video-assisted thoracic left lung decortication was performed; tissue culture also speciated Clostridia . Further imaging revealed concomitant acute cholecystitis, suggesting hematogenous seeding or transdiaphragmatic extension of Clostridia to pleural space from an abdominal source. The patient was successfully managed with laparoscopic cholecystectomy and discharged on a one-month course of amoxicillin-sulbactam. This case highlights the potential for Clostridia to produce a pleuropulmonary infection, necessitating timely diagnosis and intervention, to improve patient outcomes.
PubMed: 38482098
DOI: 10.55729/2000-9666.1274 -
International Journal of Surgery Case... Apr 2024Primary pleural hydatid cysts (PPHCs) are a rare clinical condition caused by the larval stage of the parasite Echinococcus granulosus. They occur in <1 % of all...
INTRODUCTION
Primary pleural hydatid cysts (PPHCs) are a rare clinical condition caused by the larval stage of the parasite Echinococcus granulosus. They occur in <1 % of all hydatid cysts in the body and can cause serious complications such as pneumothorax, pleural effusion, and mediastinal shift.
PRESENTATION OF CASE
We report a rare case of a 28-year-old female who was initially misdiagnosed and ignored her pneumothorax for several months, resulting in progressive dyspnea and chest pain. After performing radiological images, a primary pleural hydatid cyst was suspected. She was surgically treated and the cyst was removed by our doctors and the patient improved without any significant complications.
DISCUSSION
PPHCs are a challenging diagnosis due to their nonspecific symptoms and low prevalence. They can mimic other pleural diseases such as tuberculosis, empyema, or malignancy. The diagnosis of PPHCs requires a high index of suspicion and a combination of imaging, serology, and histopathology. The treatment of choice is surgical removal of the cyst, along with perioperative anthelmintic therapy to prevent recurrence and anaphylaxis.
CONCLUSION
PPHCs are a rare but potentially life-threatening condition that requires early diagnosis and management. Clinicians should be aware of this entity and include it in the differential diagnosis of pleural diseases, especially in developing countries. Surgical treatment is effective and safe, and can improve the quality of life of patients with PPHCs.
PubMed: 38452642
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2024.109463 -
Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases Mar 2024Intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy is being used as an effective agent since 1949 in managing complicated pleural effusion and empyema. Several agents like streptokinase...
INTRODUCTION
Intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy is being used as an effective agent since 1949 in managing complicated pleural effusion and empyema. Several agents like streptokinase (STK), urokinase (UK), and recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) are found to effective with variable effectiveness. However, head-to-head controlled trial to compare the efficacy of the most frequently used i.e., UK and rt-PA (alteplase) in managing complicated pleural effusion has rarely been reported.
METHODOLOGY
50 patients were randomized in two intervention groups i.e., UK and rt-PA. The dose of rt-PA was 10 mg, and that of UK was 1.0 lac unit. UK was given thrice daily for two days, followed by clamping to allow the drugs to retain in the pleural space for 2 hrs. rt-PA was instilled in the pleural space twice daily for two days, and the intercostal drainage was clamped for 1 hour.
RESULTS
A total of 50 patients were enrolled for the study out of which84% (n=42) were males and 16 % (n=8) were females. Among them, 30 (60%) patients received UK, and 20 (40%) patients received alteplase as IPFT agents. The of mean changes in the pleural opacity in the UK group was -33.0 % (SD +/- 9.9) and -41.0 % (SD +/- 14.9) in the alteplase group (P-value-0.014). Pain was the most common adverse side effect, occurring in 60% (n=18) of the patients in the UK group and 40% (n=8) in the alteplase group (P-value 0.24) while fever was the second most common side effect. Patient who reported early (within 6 weeks of onset of symptoms) have shown greater response than who reported late for intervention.
CONCLUSION
IPFT is a safe and effective option in managing complicated pleural effusion or empyema, and newer agents like alteplase have greater efficacy and similar adverse effects effect profile when compared with conventional agents like UK.
PubMed: 38449316
DOI: 10.4046/trd.2022.0168