Lawerenz J U, Müller K M
Institut für Pathologie, Berufsgenossenschaftlichen Krankenanstalten, Bochum.
Langenbecks Arch Chir Suppl II Verh Dtsch Ges Chir. 1989:179-85.
Acute empyema is characterized by purulent effusions. Fibrinous adhesions may form between the pleural surfaces. If the purulent exudate is insufficiently resorbed, pronounced organisation and demarcation of the exudate occurs in the intermediate stage. This leads to scar formation or to completely demarcated empyema remnants in late stages. Besides its classic causes traumatic and iatrogenic injuries are increasingly causing empyema. Differential diagnosis must include empyema-like effusions in cancer patients. The course of the disease depends on the virulency and the type of infection, as well as on the immunological state of the patient and the therapeutic regimen.
