title: Adult empyema in Zaria, Nigeria.
abstract: The clinical records of 41 adult patients who were treated for empyema thoracis at the ABU Hospital, Zaria from 1974 to 1986 have been reviewed. Twenty six (63%) of the patients were younger than 34 years. Bacterial pneumonia, pulmonary tuberculosis and chronic bronchitis were the underlying illnesses in 32 (78%) while advanced malignancies were present in two others. Gram-negative bacilli were as important as the gram-positive cocci as causative agents in the 16 patients whose pleural aspirates were culture-positive. Closed chest tube drainage was most often effective when combined with antibiotics. Overall, 5 patients died, 2 absconded, 34 were discharged home but the default rate from the follow up clinic was high.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Princess Royal Hospital, Telford, England.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hassan
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Mabogunje
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015984:Causality; D015505:Chest Tubes / Q000592:standards; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D016724:Empyema, Pleural / Q000382:microbiology / Q000401:mortality* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents