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Health Dictionary

Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.

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Pleural empyema physical examination

Introduction

Overview

Overview

On examination, the following findings may be seen:[1][2][3] lateral chest wall swelling and tenderness, clubbing of the fingernails, dull percussion note, reduced breath sounds on the affected side of the chest, egophony, coarse crackles, increased fremitus, mediastinal shift to opposite side with large empyema

Physical Examination

Physical Examination

On examination, the following findings may be seen:[1][2][3]

  • Lateral chest wall swelling and tenderness.
  • Clubbing of the fingernails
  • Dull percussion note
  • Reduced breath sounds on the affected side of the chest.
  • Egophony
  • Coarse crackles
  • Increased fremitus
  • Mediastinal shift to opposite side with large empyema

The above physical examination findings may be absent in some cases making the use of imaging studies an important component of diagnosis.

References

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Atay S, Banki F, Floyd C (2016). “Empyema necessitans caused by actinomycosis: A case report”. Int J Surg Case Rep. 23: 182–5. doi:10.1016/j.ijscr.2016.04.005. PMC 5022073. PMID 27180228.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Gomes MM, Alves M, Correia JB, Santos L (2013). “Empyema necessitans: very late complication of pulmonary tuberculosis”. BMJ Case Rep. 2013. doi:10.1136/bcr-2013-202072. PMC 3863066. PMID 24326441.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Kuan YC, How SH, Yeen WC, Ng TH, Fauzi AR (2011). “Empyema thoracis complicated by pneumothorax necessitans manifesting as lobulated, localized subcutaneous emphysematous swellings”. Ann Thorac Surg. 91 (6): 1969–71. doi:10.1016/j.athoracsur.2010.11.075. PMID 21619994.

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Prince Tano Djan, BSc, MBChB [2]