A review of the diagnostic and therapeutic approach of empyema in children

Pneumonia is an infection of the lung parenchyma caused by a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection. In some cases of bacterial pneumonia, the infection progresses and causes necrosis and destruction of the lungs, and finally parapneumonic effusion occurs. This effusion arise from the spread of pleural inflammation and infection, or infection in other areas adjacent to the pleura, such as the retropharynx, vertebrae, abdomen, and retroperitoneal spaces. In the beginning, parapneumonic effusion, the pleura becomes inflamed, and then, due to inflammation and damage to the vascular endothelium, proteins, fluids, and leukocytes leak into the pleural space, and the fluid inside the chest gradually increases. At the time of formation, the effusion is usually sterile with a low leukocyte count .Over time, bacteria invade the fluid and lead to empyema. The presence of severe purulent fluid in the pleural cavity is called empyema .The aim of this study is etiology, diagnosis and treatment of empyema in children.