Ultrasonography in the Diagnosis and Management of Empyema of the Thorax

Abstract
Ultrasonic examination is useful to detect and localize empyema within the thoracic cavity in order to perform fine-needle aspiration. In six cases in which we used these procedures no complications were detected. Three of them are presented to illustrate the usefulness of ultrasonographically guided fine-needle aspiration of thoracic empyema in the clinical management of such patients. Ultrasonography provides a safe and rapid method for early detection and diagnosis of thoracic empyema so that appropriate therapy may be initiated.

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