An accumulation of pus in a body cavity or in certain organs. Empyema can occur around a lung as a rare complication of an infection such as pneumonia or pleurisy. The main symptoms are chest pain, breathlessness, and fever. Treatment is by aspiration (removal of the pus by suction) and the injection of antibiotic drugs, or by an operation to open the chest cavity and drain the pus. Empyema of the gallbladder may occur as a complication of cholecystitis, when it causes abdominal pain, fever, and jaundice. It is treated by surgical removal of the gallbladder.
Empyema |
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