An empyema (/ˌɛmpaɪˈiːmə/) is a collection or gathering of pus within a naturally existing anatomical cavity. The term is most commonly used to refer to pleural empyema,^[1] which is empyema of the pleural cavity. It must be differentiated from an abscess, which is a collection of pus in a newly formed cavity. The term is from Greek ἐμπύημα, "abscess".

Classification

Empyema occurs in:

• the pleural cavity (pleural empyema also known as pyothorax)
• the thoracic cavity
• the uterus (pyometra)
• the appendix (appendicitis)
• the meninges (subdural empyema)
• the joints (septic arthritis)
• the gallbladder

References

External links

• Shen, K. Robert; Bribriesco, Alejandro; Crabtree, Traves; Denlinger, Chad; Eby, Joshua; Eiken, Patrick; Jones, David R.; Keshavjee, Shaf; Maldonado, Fabien; Paul, Subroto; Kozower, Benjamin (February 2017). "The American Association for Thoracic Surgery consensus guidelines for the management of empyema". The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery. 153 (6): e129–e146. doi:10.1016/j.jtcvs.2017.01.030. PMID 28274565.