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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 Martha-Maria Hospital Munich is one of the medical facilities of the Martha-Maria Diaconal Enterprise, as well as an academic hospital of Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich. For the patient, this means a combination of advanced medicine with a humane attitude towards the patient's worries and his life situation. The
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Luisenhospital Aachen
Luisenhospital Aachen
Overall rating9.83333 / 10
The Luisenhospital Aachen is a modern health facility that offers top-class European-standard service. The medical complex is an academic hospital of RWTH Aachen University, which provides patients with access to innovations in diagnosis and treatment. The hospital first opened its doors to patients in 1967 and has been carrying
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The University Hospital Freiburg is famous for its rich history and is one of the oldest and most prestigious medical facilities in Germany (one of the three best medical institutions in the country). The hospital was based on the Faculty of Medicine of the Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg, which celebrated its 550th anniver
The Medical Park Gebze Hospital is a progressive medical facility, which diagnoses and treats patients in almost all fields of modern medicine. The hospital is part of the prestigious Medical Park Hospitals Group, which unites 28 advanced medical centers in various cities of Turkey and is one of the leading providers of medical
Asan Medical Center is Korea’s largest medical institution, with 1,600 physicians and surgeons, 3,100 nurses, 2,680 beds, and 67 operating rooms, occupying more than four million square feet (about 371,600 square meters). A typical day at AMC sees 2,500 inpatients and 10,000 outpatients treated. The treatment of heart dise
The Hanyang University Medical Center was founded in 1972 and today is one of the largest and most advanced providers of medical services in Korea and around the world. The medical institution runs 9 specialized centers and 26 departments fitted out with state-of-the-art equipment. The most important component of successful trea
As a member of the Swiss Leading Hospitals, the Multispecialty Hospital Lindberg in Winterthur ranges amongst the leading medical facilities in Switzerland. With more than 100 accredited doctors of various specialties, the Lindberg Hospital offers a broad range of medical services. Focal areas of the Hospital are orthopedics inc
The Vivantes Auguste-Victoria Hospital, has special expertise and received international recognition in the field of Urology, especially in the treatment of prostate cancer and also Oncology, Neurology, Cardiology and other directions. The possibilities of urological treatment include robot-assisted surgeries using the Da Vinci
The Hospital Frankfurt (Oder) has an excellent reputation in the national and international medical arena, providing patients with high-quality medical services in accordance with the standards of modern medicine. The healthcare facility is an academic hospital of the Charite University Hospital Berlin and is also part of the Rh
University Hospital Mainz
University Hospital Mainz
Overall rating9.7 / 10
The University Hospital Mainz is one of the best maximum care medical facilities in Germany and an internationally recognized scientific center. There are more than 60 departments and institutes, which represent all fields of modern medicine. The hospital serves more than 68,000 inpatients and more than 273,000 outpatients annua
The Gaziosmanpasa Hospital of Yeniyuzyil University is a private maximum care medical facility with the high standards of patient care. The hospital began its activities in 1992 and during this time has gained an excellent reputation in Turkey and in many other countries of the world.
The Clinic de Genolier Genolier is the largest reputable medical facility of the Swiss Medical Network, which provides excellent high-quality medical services in accordance with the best traditions of Swiss healthcare. The clinic was founded in 1972 and nowadays it can boast with long successful clinical experience, as well as c
The St. Remigius Hospital Opladen Leverkusen provides medical services in accordance with the highest standards. It is part of the Kplus Group, which unites more than twenty medical facilities. All hospitals of the group are not only distinguished by high-quality healthcare services, but also adhere to the Christian beliefs. The
The Hirslanden Salem-Spital Bern enjoys the status of a modern medical facility, which work is based on the highest medical standards, a humane and respectful attitude towards patients. The history of the health facility began back in 1888, when it functioned with the assistance of the Deaconess Foundation. In 2002, the hospital
The Vivantes Neukölln Hospital is the maximum care hospital and one of the largest healthcare facilities in Berlin.  There are more than 20 specialized departments and centers, including pediatric departments. In total, the hospital has 1,200 beds. The hospital uses innovative technologies and the latest treatments, as
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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