Empyema Necessitans: The Hidden Danger In Young Lungs

Abstract

We present a case of a young male patient who initially presented with left-sided chest pain associated with symptoms of chest infection on background of being type 1 diabetic. As he developed septicaemia secondary to empyema, he underwent an incision and drainage procedure for the chest wall abscess. Intraoperatively, a fistulous connection between the abscess and the pleural space was identified. Subsequent CT imaging post-surgery confirmed the diagnosis of Empyema Necessitans. This case study aims to highlight the importance of considering Empyema Necessitans as a differential diagnosis in young patients presenting with chest infections especially on background of chronic diseases like diabetes.