Source: International Congress 2015 – Case series and clinical conundrums in TB
Disease area: Respiratory infections

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Empyema is a well known complication of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB), particularly in patients with advanced TB.AIM OF STUDY: To identify risk factors and prognosis of tuberculous empyema.METHODS: Retrospective comparative study of 210 patients followed up between 2010 and 2014 for pulmonary TB. We defined 2 groups: G1 (39 TB patients with empyema) and G2: (176 TB patients without empyema).RESULTS: Of the 39 patients in G1, 30 (78%) were male. The mean age in G1 was 37 years (12-74 years). Empyema was not significantly associated with sex, age, vaccination or medical history of TB. It was significantly more common in patients from rural area, who have served time with smoking history, drug and alcohol use. Mean time of general symptoms was about 81 days in G1 and there were no differences compared to G2. Cachexia was noted in 32% of our patients and it was statistically more common. In terms of radiological manifestations, 56% of patients with empyema had cavitary lesions and pulmonary infiltration. These lesions were not significantly more frequent. All patients had pleural drainage, respiratory physiotherapy and antitubercular drugs. Five patients in G1 had surgical treatment. At the end of treatment, extended radiological images and pulmonary sequelae were statistically more common in G1.CONCLUSIONS: Tuberculous empyema has as risk factors: smoking history, drug and alcohol use and living in rural area. Its early management is necessary to reduce pulmonary sequelae.


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Soumaya Ben Saad (Bizerte, Tunisia), Bouthaina Melki, Soumaya Ben Saad, Hahaoua Daghfous, Mouna Ben Khlifa, Fatma Tritar. Tuberculous empyema: Risk factors and prognosis. Eur Respir J 2015; 46: Suppl. 59, 2760

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