EMPYEMA

accumulation of pus in a cavity of the body, usually in the pleura, which are the serous membranes covering the lungs. Empyema is usually the result of a microbial, usually bacterial, infection in a body cavity. Thoracic empyema is characterized by chest pain, fever, coughing, and weight loss, and the presence of fluid as ascertained by a chest X ray. Treatment is directed at drainage of small amounts of pus through a needle or larger amounts through a drainage tube. In addition to drainage, antibiotics are often used to treat the underlying infection. Empyemas may result from the infection of an obstructed gallbladder with a bacterial organism, in which case the high risk of perforation and systemic infection requires the immediate removal of the infected organ.