Tuberculous Empyema in Artificial Pneumothorax

Smith, F. A (1950) Tuberculous Empyema in Artificial Pneumothorax. MD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

The incidence of tuberculous empyema in artificial pneumothorax is reviewed. The etiology of eighty-one cases of pure and pyogenically infected empyema in seventy-eight patients is reviewed and discussed. The principal causes of empyema in this series seem to have been: 1. Choice of unsuitable cases for collapse by pneumothorax, either because of the type of disease or its acute activity at the time of induction of collapse. 2. Maintenance of unsatisfactory, ineffective or de-selective collapse due to adhesions. 3. Consequent failure to achieve cavity closure in a high percentage of cases, resulting in development of broncho-pleural fistulae. 4. Adhesion section, especially extensive cauterization of adhesions and adhesion section in the presence of pleuritis and active pleural or sub-pleural disease. 5. Maintenance of collapse after complete atelectasis had occurred. A review of treatment and survival of patients following varying forms of treatment is presented The avoidance or successful elimination of secondary pyogenic infection is the first essential in treatment. Surgical treatment in suitable cases is the treatment of choice. In cases unsuitable for surgical treatment there is some evidence to suggest that maintenance of pneumothorax is worth attempting in cases classed as satisfactorily collapsed at onset of empyema, provided sputum conversion has been obtained. The results of treatment would also appear to show that in pure tuberculous empyema, aspiration and lavage with antiseptics and dyes etc. offers no advantage over aspiration and air replacement alone. Oleothorax is prone to complications, especially the formation of chest wall sinuses. This may prevent thoracoplasty being done in a case otherwise suitable for operation.

• Item Type: Thesis (MD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Keywords: Medicine, Pathology
• Date of Award: 1950
• Depositing User: Enlighten Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:1950-79829
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 31 Mar 2020 09:09
• Last Modified: 31 Mar 2020 09:09
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/79829