The significance of parapneumonic pleural effusions developing during antibiotic treatment for pneumonia
Macrea, M.; Metersky, M.L.
Connecticut Medicine 70(6): 371-375
2006
ISSN/ISBN: 0010-6178 PMID: 16869468 Document Number: 600712
There are little data regarding the outcomes of parapneumonic pleural effusions that first appear during antibiotic treatment of the underlying pneumonia. To assess the outcome of patients who develop a parapneumonic effusion while on antibiotic therapy. Patients admitted to the John Dempsey Hospital with a discharge diagnosis of pneumonia were identified retrospectively. Patients with minimal or no effusion on admission chest radiograph who subsequently developed a parapneumonic effusion during their hospital stay were included. The characteristics of the effusions and the patient outcomes were studied. Twenty-eight (3%) of 1,028 patients developed a parapneumonic effusion while in the hospital. Seventy-one percent of the parapneumonic effusions were small (occupying less than one-third of the hemithorax) and 29% were moderate (occupying between one-third and two-thirds of the hemithorax). No patients required tube thoracostomy or other drainage procedure. Patients with pneumonia who develop a parapneumonic effusion while receiving antibiotic therapy are unlikely to develop empyema or a complicated effusion requiring drainage.