Review Article
Management of Infectious Processes of the Pleural Space: A Review
Table 1
Pleural infections staging and recommended drainage [
7].
| Category | Pleural space anatomy | | Pleural fluid chemistry | Risk of poor outcome | Drainage |
| 1 | Minimal free-flowing effusion (<10 mm on lateral decubitus) | and | Gram stain and culture results unknown | Very low | No | 2 | Small to moderate free-flowing effusion (≥10 mm and less than one half hemithorax) | and | Negative Gram stain and culture | Low | No | 3 | Large, free-flowing effusion (≥ one half hemithorax), loculated effusion, or effusion with thickened parietal pleura | or | Positive Gram stain and/or culture | Moderate | Yes | 4 | Empyema | | pus | High | Yes |
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