[Pulmonary empyema 48 years after Lucite-ball Plomb implantation for tuberculosis].
A 68-year-old woman was diagnosed as having empyema on the left side. She had a history of pulmonary tuberculosis and tuberculous pleurisy in 1949. She was treated with artificial pneumothorax and implantation of 7 Lucite-ball plombs in the left upper thorax. A chest radiograph taken 14 years after initial operation, revealed an increase in density inside some of the Lucite-ball plombs. She was again admitted after experiencing fever and dyspnea 48 years after initial operation. The chest radiograph then showed a large mass on the left side, which compressed the mediastinum to the right. Inside the mass, Lucite-ball plombs were detected. The fever and inflammatory findings were improved with antibiotic therapy, but the dyspnea was persistent. The Lucite-ball Plombs and coagulating tissue were removed successfully. The patient's symptoms and respiratory function improved after the second operation.
Ohkouchi
Minoru
M
Department of Internal Medicine, Toride Kyodo Hospital, 2-1-1 Hongou, Toride, Ibaraki, Japan 302-022.
Ishiwata
Nobuo
N
Tukada
Yoshikazu
Y
Yano
Makoto
M
D000368:Aged; D004653:Empyema / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D019736:Prostheses and Implants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D013997:Time Factors; D014396:Tuberculosis, Pleural / Q000601:surgery*; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000601:surgery*
D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate