title: Management of infectious processes of the pleural space: a review.
abstract: Pleural effusions can present in 40% of patients with pneumonia. Presence of an effusion can complicate the diagnosis as well as the management of infection in lungs and pleural space. There has been an increase in the morbidity and mortality associated with parapneumonic effusions and empyema. This calls for employment of advanced treatment modalities and development of a standardized protocol to manage pleural sepsis early. There has been an increased understanding about the indications and appropriate usage of procedural options at clinicians' disposal.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, UF College of Medicine at Jacksonville, 655, 8th Street west, Jacksonville, FL 32209, USA.
authors.forename: Ankur
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Girdhar
authors.forename: Adil
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shujaat
authors.forename: Abubakr
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bajwa