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Pleural Empyema (abscess) - Best Hospitals, Doctors, Prices - Booking Health

Treatment of Pleural Empyema (abscess)

Pleural empyema (abscess) | Information about hospitals and doctors | Rankings | Clinics | Prices | Send request to the hospital

Best hospitals and doctors for pleural empyema (abscess) treatment abroad

Leading hospitals

Cost for treatment

Treatment of pleural empyema (abscess) with pleurectomy and lung decortication
9646.56
General therapeutic rehabilitation
0.00
The St. Vincentius Hospital Karlsruhe is a modern medical facility with a rich history and traditions. The medical complex is an academic hospital of the University of Freiburg, granting patients access to advanced university medicine and the very latest therapeutic developments. The hospital first opened its doors in 1851 and,
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University Hospital Ulm

University Hospital Ulm

Overall rating8.7 / 10
The University Hospital Ulm is an advanced medical complex that provides patients with high-class medical care using the very latest scientific achievements. The medical facility has been performing successful clinical activities for more than 40 years and has long earned an excellent reputation throughout Europe. The hospital r
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According to the reputable Focus magazine, the University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden ranks among the top five German hospitals! The hospital is the benchmark for modern high-quality medicine. Positioning itself as a maximum care medical facility, the hospital represents all medical fields. There are 26 specialized depart
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The University Hospital Marburg UKGM offers patients modern diagnostics and comprehensive therapy at the international level. As a maximum care hospital, the medical facility specializes in all fields of modern medicine ranging from ophthalmology to traumatology and dentistry. The main areas of specialization of the hospital are
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According to the reputable Focus magazine, the University Hospital Frankfurt am Main ranks among the top German medical facilities! The hospital was founded in 1914 and today is a well-known German medical facility, which combines rich traditions and scientific innovations. A medical team of more than 6,500 employees cares about
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According to the prestigious medical publication Focus, the University Hospital Tuebingen ranks among the top five German hospitals! The hospital was founded in 1805, therefore it is proud of its long history, unique experience, and outstanding achievements in the field of medical care, as well as research and teaching activitie
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According to the Focus magazine, University Hospital Erlangen ranks among the best medical facilities in Germany! The hospital is one of the leading healthcare facilities in Bavaria and offers top-class medical care distinguished by the close intertwining of clinical activities with research and training of medical students. The
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According to the prestigious Focus magazine, the University Hospital RWTH Aachen ranks among the top German hospitals! As a maximum care university medical facility, the hospital guarantees patients first-class medical services combined with a respectful and human attitude. The hospital integrates all the modern options for the
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According to the Focus magazine, the University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf ranks among the top ten hospitals in Germany! Since its foundation in 1889, the hospital has taken a leading position in the European medical arena and still occupies it until today. A highly competent medical team of more than 11,000 employees takes care
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According to the Focus magazine in 2019, the University Hospital Würzburg ranks among the top national German hospitals! The hospital is one of the oldest medical facilities in Germany. The centuries-old traditions of first-class treatment are combined with the very latest achievements of modern evidence-based medicine and
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According to Focus magazine, the University Hospital Heidelberg ranks among the top five hospitals in Germany! The hospital is one of the most advanced and reputable medical institutions not only in Germany, but throughout Europe. There are more than 43 specialized departments and 13 medical institutes, which cover all fields of
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University Hospital Jena

University Hospital Jena

Overall rating8.9 / 10
According to the prestigious Focus magazine, the University Hospital Jena regularly ranks among the top German medical facilities! The hospital has positioned itself as a multidisciplinary medical facility with a long history of more than 200 years. Since its foundation, the hospital has been constantly developing and modernizin
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University Hospital Bonn

University Hospital Bonn

Overall rating9.2 / 10
According to the authoritative Focus magazine, the University Hospital Bonn ranks among the top ten medical facilities in Germany! The hospital was opened on January 1, 2001, although in fact it inherits the medical facility, which operated at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Bonn. The hospital in Germany combin
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According to the prestigious Focus magazine, the University Hospital Halle (Saale) ranks among the top German medical facilities! The history of the hospital has more than 300 years, and during this time it managed to earn an excellent reputation not only in Germany, but throughout the world. The hospital positions itself as a s
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According to the Focus magazine, the University Hospital of Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich is regularly ranked among the best medical institutions in Germany! The hospital is the largest multidisciplinary medical facility, as well as a leading research and training center in Germany and Europe. The hospital is proud of i
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According to the authoritative Focus magazine, the University Hospital Duesseldorf ranks among the top Germany hospitals! The hospital is an excellent example of a combination of high-quality health care, research and teaching activities. With more than 50,000 inpatients and about 300,000 outpatients every year, the hospital is
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About the disease

Pleural empyema is a collection of pus in the area located between the lungs and the chest wall. According to Healthline, the most common cause of pleural empyema is pneumonia. In such case pleural empyema develops as a complication of an untreated infection. A person is unable to cough out the pus and the only way to get it out of the pleural space is by medical drainage.

If a person develops pneumonia, he/she needs to fight the infectious bacteria completely to avoid development of complications later on. A person can develop pneumonia as a result of severe cold or close contact with another infected person. Pneumonia is not the only cause of pleural empyema. It can also develop as a result of previous chest surgery or trauma, that`s why a person needs to be checked up regularly after undergoing the surgery or having an accident.

Generally, there is some natural amount of fluid in the pleural area required for proper functioning of the lungs. In case a person gets infection, pleural area can start to produce excessive amount of fluid, which can later on thicken and also turn into pus. Pleural empyema can lead to development of respiratory problems and also cause damage to the lung lining, that's why it is important to treat this condition on time.

Good news is that pleural empyema is very uncommon. It develops in only 1% of people who had pneumonia. Also, this condition is most common among children and elderly as their immune system is weaker and more compromised  during infections. People who have weak immune system due to other medical conditions, such as diabetes or HIV are also at great risk of developing pleural empyema should they contract pneumonia. Alcoholism and smoking are the risk factors as well.

Symptoms

  • Dry cough
  • Chest pain
  • Fever
  • Shortness of breath
  • Chills
  • Night sweats
  • Weight loss
  • Weakness
  • Fatigue

Diagnosis

  • During a general examination the doctor will examine the medical history of the patient to determine if he/she had pneumonia in the past.
  • The doctor will also listen to the patient`s heart with the stethoscope to determine if there are any abnormalities, such as murmur.
  • Imaging tests, such as an X-ray or CT scan, are helpful in determining if there is an excess of fluid in the lungs. These tests can also show the exact location of the excess fluid collection which will be helpful in further treatment. An ultrasound can be used for the same purposes as well.
  • A blood test is ordered to determine the exact type of  bacteria which caused the infection in the first place. The test will also be helpful in further treatment plan.

Treatment

  • Antibiotics may be prescribed to kill the bacteria which caused an infection if the bacteria is still active.
  • Pleurectomy with lung decortication is a surgery used to drain the pus and also normalize the normal functioning of the pleural space.

Authors: Dr. Nadezhda Ivanisova, Dr. Sergey Pashchenko