Abstract
Background: Pleural infection is one of the oldest and most severe diseases. Prompt recognition of the development of empyema is crucial to successful treatment. Even with appropriate therapeutic attempts, mortality of patients is 15-20% and higher in immunocompromised patients. The present study was carried out to study the clinical profile of empyema thoracis patients in a tertiary care center.
Methods: 56 patients were included in this prospective study who were diagnosed as case of empyemas thoraces over a period of 12 months. An evaluation of clinical features, associated risk factors or co-morbidities, causative organisms, treatment modalities and outcome of these patients was carried out.
Results: There were 56 patients included in the study out of which, 52% patients belonged to age group 18-40 years with a significant male preponderance. 75% patients were of tubercular origin and rest were of bacterial origin, most commonly, Staphylococcus aureus, followed by gram negative bacilli . Most frequently associated co-morbidity was found to be Pneumonias followed by diabetes, smoking and alcohol abuse. Most commonly used management modality was ICT drainage which provided maximum drainage and also reduces the hospital stay.
Conclusion: Empyema thoracis has a very high prevalence in developing countries like India. Amongst which, tubercular empyemas, being most common in young adults is a major cause of morbidity and mortality.
Keywords: Empyemathoracis, Pneumonia, Tuberculosis.
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Corresponding Author
Dr Santosh Kumar
Associate Professor and Head, Department of T.B. & Chest Diseases
S.N. Medical College, Agra, India
Mob: 9897517869, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v6i5.111
