Epidemic Respiratory Disease: The pneumonias and other infections of the repiratory tract accompanying influenza and measlesOpie, Eugene L. (Eugene Lindsay)
History
Epidemic Respiratory Disease: The pneumonias and other infections of the repiratory tract accompanying influenza and measles
=Empyema Caused by Hemolytic Streptococci.=—When necrosis preceding
abscess formation has occurred in the lung, streptococci are found in
immense numbers in the dead tissue. The pleura overlying the abscess
undergoes necrosis and occasionally streptococci are particularly
numerous upon the pleural surface of the necrotic tissue. In Autopsy 376
a membrane thin as tissue paper, representing the pleura, separated an
abscess containing thick pus from the pleural cavity which was the site
of empyema. The abscess may rupture into the pleural cavity and at the
same time may be in free communication with a bronchus (Autopsy 480). In
one (Autopsy 467) instance an abscess which had ruptured into the
pleural cavity had completely discharged its contents and was in process
of healing, newly formed fibrous tissue being abundant in its wall.
With few exceptions empyema has accompanied subpleural abscess caused by
hemolytic streptococci, being found on the side corresponding to the
abscess. Among 39 instances of pulmonary abscess, empyema has been
limited to the side of the abscess in 23; it has been present on the
opposite side as well in 10 instances. In 2 instances there have been
abscesses in both lungs; in one (Autopsy 385 A) there has been double
empyema, and in the other (Autopsy 487) empyema only on the left side.
In one instance abscess has been recognized by microscopic examination
and its location is not recorded. In 5 instances of abscess formation
there has been no empyema. In Autopsy 383 there has been no pleurisy
noted; in Autopsy 416 there has been fibrinous pleurisy and in Autopsies
277, 290 and 380, serofibrinous pleurisy.
Empyema has been almost invariably found in association with
interstitial suppurative pneumonia. This lesion extends by way of the
lymphatics up to the pleural surface and is often more conspicuous just
below the pleura than elsewhere. Empyema has been absent in only 3 of 21
examples of the lesion and in one of these there has been serous
effusion. In 12 instances interstitial suppuration has occurred only on
one side and empyema has been limited to this side; in 5 instances with
interstitial suppuration on one side there has been empyema on both
sides; in 2 instances with interstitial suppuration in both lungs there
has been double empyema.
The amount of fluid in the pleural cavity has varied from less than 100
to 1,500 c.c. The fluid has occasionally been seropurulent or yellow,
thick and purulent, but in most instances the exudate is best described
as fibrinopurulent. There is yellow or yellowish gray purulent fluid
containing flakes of soft ragged fibrin.
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