Empyema necessitans presenting as chest wall abscess - Case series

Abstract

Empyema Necessitans (EN) is a rare complication of untreated pleural infection. It burrows through the parietal pleura and extends to the extra pleural space. Tuberculosis is the most common cause of EN. It can be seen in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients. Diagnosis can be challenging due to long duration and indefinite symptoms. Missing the disease can have dreadful consequences on the patient’s health. Here we report two cases that presented with chest wall abscess later to be diagnosed as Empyema Necessitans.

Keywords

• empyema necessitans
• tuberculosis
• chest wall abscess