Which of the following is a common cause of empyema?

Which of the following is a common cause of empyema?

• A. Parapneumonic infection related to pneumonia
• B. Asthma
• C. Pulmonary embolism
• D. Atelectasis

Answer: (A)

Empyema happens when infection reaches the pleural space and pus collects there. The most common route is a parapneumonic infection related to pneumonia, where the inflammatory exudate from the infected lung extends to the pleura or a complicated parapneumonic effusion becomes infected. Bacteria invade the pleural space, producing purulent fluid that often has a low pH and low glucose and may be culture-positive, making this the typical pathway to empyema. Other options don’t usually involve infection of the pleural space: asthma is an airway inflammatory condition, pulmonary embolism can irritate the pleura and cause effusions but not typically purulent empyema, and atelectasis can lead to collapse and small effusions but not pus-filled space infection.

Empyema happens when infection reaches the pleural space and pus collects there. The most common route is a parapneumonic infection related to pneumonia, where the inflammatory exudate from the infected lung extends to the pleura or a complicated parapneumonic effusion becomes infected. Bacteria invade the pleural space, producing purulent fluid that often has a low pH and low glucose and may be culture-positive, making this the typical pathway to empyema. Other options don’t usually involve infection of the pleural space: asthma is an airway inflammatory condition, pulmonary embolism can irritate the pleura and cause effusions but not typically purulent empyema, and atelectasis can lead to collapse and small effusions but not pus-filled space infection.