Korean J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg.  2004 Feb;37(2):188-192.

Treatment of Huge Chronic Tuberculous Empyema with Cardiopulmonary Dysfunction: 1 case report

• Park J
• Choi YS
• Shim YM

Abstract

Treatment of huge chronic tuberculous empyema with cardiopulmonary dysfunction. Drainage of empyemal space by closed thoracostomy in chronic tuberculous empyema is generally contraindicated because of the possibility of empyema necessitatis and ascending infection. But in case that serious cardiopulmonary dysfunction is present, drainage of empyema and decompression is necessary. We experienced a case in which chronic tuberculous empyema was big enough to cause mediastinal shifting and cardiopulmonary failure. Immediate drainage of pleural cavity with tube thoracostomy was performed. Afterward, pleuropneumonectomy was done following cyclic irrigation for one month. The patient had successful postoperative course without any evidence of complication or relapse of infection.

Keyword

Empyema; Tuberculosis, pleural; Drainage; Decortication

MeSH Terms

Decompression
Drainage
Empyema
Empyema, Tuberculous*
Humans
Pleural Cavity
Recurrence
Thoracostomy
Tuberculosis, Pleural