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</noscript></div><div class="main"><div id="ency_summary"><p>Empyema is a collection of pus in the space between the lung and the inner surface of the chest wall (pleural space).</p><img title="Lungs" alt="Lungs" src="//medlineplus.gov/ency/images/ency/fullsize/1103.jpg" class="img-e" itemprop="image"/></div><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Causes</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-1" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-1"><p>Empyema is usually caused by an infection that spreads directly from the lung. It leads to a buildup of pus in the pleural space.</p><p>There can be 2 cups (1/2 liter) or more of infected fluid. This fluid puts pressure on the lungs.</p><p>Risk factors include:</p><ul><li><a test="test" href="./000145.htm">Bacterial pneumonia</a></li><li><a test="test" href="./000077.htm">Tuberculosis</a></li><li>Chest surgery</li><li>Lung <a test="test" href="./001353.htm">abscess</a></li><li>Trauma or injury to the chest </li></ul><p>In rare cases, empyema can occur after <a test="test" href="./003420.htm">thoracentesis</a>. This is a procedure in which a needle is inserted through the chest wall to remove fluid in the pleural space for medical diagnosis or treatment.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Symptoms</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-2" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-2"><p>Symptoms of empyema may include any of the following:</p><ul><li><a test="test" href="./003079.htm">Chest pain</a>, which worsens when you breathe in deeply (pleurisy)</li><li>Dry <a test="test" href="./003072.htm">cough</a></li><li><a test="test" href="./003218.htm">Excessive sweating</a>, especially night sweats</li><li><a test="test" href="./003090.htm">Fever</a> and chills</li><li>General discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling (<a test="test" href="./003089.htm">malaise</a>)</li><li><a test="test" href="./003075.htm">Shortness of breath</a></li><li><a test="test" href="./003107.htm">Weight loss</a> (unintentional) </li></ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Exams and Tests</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-3" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-3"><p>Your health care provider may note decreased breath sounds or an abnormal sound (friction rub) when listening to your chest with a stethoscope (<a test="test" href="./002226.htm">auscultation</a>).</p><p>Tests that may be ordered include:</p><ul><li><a test="test" href="./003804.htm">Chest x-ray</a> (may require multiple positions)</li><li><a test="test" href="./003788.htm">CT scan of chest</a></li><li><a test="test" href="./003420.htm">Thoracentesis</a></li><li><a test="test" href="./003624.htm">Pleural fluid analysis</a></li></ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Treatment</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-4" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-4"><p>The goal of treatment is to cure the infection. This involves the following:</p><ul><li>Placing a tube in your chest to drain the pus</li><li>Giving you antibiotics to control the infection</li></ul><p>If you have problems breathing, you may need surgery to help your lung expand properly.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Outlook (Prognosis)</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-5" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-5"><p>When empyema complicates pneumonia, the risk for permanent lung damage and death goes up. Long-term treatment with antibiotics and drainage are needed. </p><p>In general, most people fully recover from empyema.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Possible Complications</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-6" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-6"><p>Having empyema may lead to the following:</p><ul><li>Pleural thickening</li><li>Reduced lung function</li></ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>When to Contact a Medical Professional</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-7" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-7"><p>Contact your provider if you develop symptoms of empyema.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Prevention</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-8" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-8"><p>Prompt and effective treatment of lung infections may prevent some cases of empyema.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Alternative Names</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-Alt" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-Alt"><p>Empyema - pleural; Pyothorax; Pleurisy - purulent</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section sec-mb"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Images</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-tnails" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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<li><img src="//medlineplus.gov/ency/images/ency/tnails/7046t.jpg" alt="Chest tube insertion - series - Pleural cavity" title="Chest tube insertion - series - Pleural cavity" class="side-img"/><a href="../presentations/100008_1.htm">Chest tube insertion - series</a></li>
</ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>References</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-Ref" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-Ref"><p>Broaddus VC, Light RW. Pleural effusion. In: Broaddus VC, Ernst JD, King TE, et al, eds. <em>Murray and Nadel's Textbook of
Respiratory Medicine.</em> 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 108.</p><p>McCool FD. Diseases of the diaphragm, chest wall, pleura, and mediastinum. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. <em>Goldman-Cecil Medicine</em>. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 86.</p></div></div></section>
<section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Review Date 8/26/2023</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-version" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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<div id="section-version" class="section-body"><p>Updated by: Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Associate Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Associate in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. </p>
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