title: Treating empyema without surgery.
abstract: Normally, the pleural spaces contain sterile lubricating fluid that enables smooth expansion and contraction of the lungs. But when microorganisms gain entry, directly or through contiguous spread of infection, the fluid becomes increasingly dense and viscous as purulence progresses. This article outlines clinical, radiographic, and pleural fluid features that can aid in distinguishing between pleural collections that usually respond to medical therapy and those that probably require surgical intervention.
authors.affiliation: Intensive Care Unit, Androscoggin Valley Hospital, Berlin, New Hampshire 03570, USA.
authors.forename: T L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Lee-Chiong
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015505:Chest Tubes; D016724:Empyema, Pleural / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D010960:Plasminogen Activators / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012307:Risk Factors; D013300:Streptokinase / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013907:Thoracostomy; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy; D014568:Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D013300:Streptokinase; D010960:Plasminogen Activators; D014568:Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator