title: Radiologic evaluation and intervention for empyema thoracis.
abstract: Empyema thoracis has changed little in its presentation and etiology since first described. Surgical intervention, simply put, is "drainage of pus." The introduction of computed tomography and catheter drainage of empyema is the first technologically driven advancement for the management of empyema. The use of various radiologic procedures for characterization and treatment of empyema is described.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Emory University Affiliated Hospitals, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D016724:Empyema, Pleural / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000266:history; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D008169:Lung Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography