Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Pleural Effusions
Sara L. Beers, MD,* and Thomas J. Abramo, MD, FAAP, FACEPy
Copyr ight © Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
Pediatric Emergency Care Volume 23, Number 5, May 2007 Pleural Effusions
Approximately 40% to 50% of patients with pneumonia will of fluid, with approximately 25 mL of fluid causing slight
have associated pleural effusions.3 elevation of the hemidiaphragm.13,14 Of note, one should not
obtain supine chest radiographs to evaluate a pleural effusion
EPIDEMIOLOGY because this may reveal only diffuse haziness.
It is important to establish if the pleural effusion is
Many studies suggest that the prevalence of empyema
free-flowing or loculated. This aids in both establishing a
complicating childhood pneumonia is increasing in both the
diagnosis and treatment plan. Lateral decubitus chest radio-
United States and United Kingdom.4 – 7 A recent survey from
graphs will allow free-flowing fluid to layer out in a
Texas suggested that the prevalence may be decreasing.8 This
dependent fashion. The affected side should be placed down.
may be attributable to the introduction of the polyvalent
The amount of free-flowing fluid needed to allow layering
pneumococcal vaccine in 1991. Empyemas cause significant
noted on a lateral decubitus film is 5 to 10 mL.14
morbidity in childhood but rarely cause death, in comparison
Ultrasonography is useful in identifying solid versus
with adult empyema, which has an estimated mortality of 20%.9
liquid lesions with a 92% accuracy and is be useful in
evaluating for the presence of loculations.13 Ultrasound can
MICROBIOLOGY also be quite useful with facilitating a thoracentesis, allowing
In children younger than 2 years, Staphylococcus fluid to be obtained with decreased risk. Computed tomography
aureus is the most common cause of empyema.10,11 The is also used in evaluating pleural effusions. Computed
following are the most common organisms causing pleural tomography clearly visualizes the underlying lung parenchyma.
effusions in children S. aureus, Streptococcus pneumonia, Loculations are also visualized with computed tomography but
Haemophilus influenza type B, group A streptococcus, not with the degree of certainty that is seen with ultrasound.15
anaerobes, and gram-negative enterics.12 Staphylococcus In diagnosing a pleural effusion, the differentiation
aureus is most commonly seen in the age group of younger between a transudate and an effusion is important. This is done
than 12 months but is seen in all ages. Streptococcus by analyzing the fluid. Transudates generally consist of a
pneumonia is most commonly seen in the age range of 6 to serous, pale yellow fluid, whereas exudates may be cloudy or
12 months but can also be seen in all ages. Haemophilus contain frank pus. Specifically, an exudate has a protein
influenza type B is seen in the 6 to 24 months and is rare after concentration that is greater than 50% compared with the
age 7 years. The overall incidence of Haemophilus influenza serum protein concentration, an lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)
type B is significantly decreasing with the implementation of concentration that is greater than 60% compared with the
Hib vaccine. Group A streptococcus is most commonly seen serum LDH concentration and an absolute LDH concentration
in school age children. Anaerobes are most commonly seen of greater than 200 IU/mL. A transudate has a protein
in the age group younger than 2 years. Gram-negative concentration that is less than 50% compared with the serum
enterics are seen in all ages. protein concentration, an LDH concentration that is less than
60% compared with the serum LDH and an absolute LDH
CLINICAL PRESENTATION AND DIAGNOSIS concentration of less than 200 IU/mL. A milky fluid suggests a
chylothorax. When this is seen, triglycerides and cholesterol
In the case of a very small pleural effusion, a child may
level of the fluid should be measured, and a fat stain such as
be asymptomatic. However, as the effusion increases in size a
Sudan black or red ‘‘O’’ stain may be done on the fluid.
child will develop symptoms which may include cough,
dyspnea, retractions, tachypnea, orthopnea, the use of
accessory respiratory muscles, and/or cyanosis. Often, fever TREATMENT
will also be present. Pleuritic chest pain is sharp and often Treatment of pleural effusions generally depends on
worse with deep inspiration. Physical findings depend to some the severity of disease on presentation and on the underlying
degree on the size of the effusion. Dullness may be elicit with etiology of the effusion. Effective therapy requires control of
chest percussion. Breath sounds may be decreased or absent any infection, resolution of the effusion, and reexpansion of
on the side of the effusion. A dimunition in tactile fremitus the lung. Treatment will likely include antibiotic therapy.
may be appreciated. A friction rub may be heard early in the When the underlying effusion is thought to be noninfectious
development of a pleural effusion. Egophony may be noted in nature as in congestive heart failure or renal failure,
when auscultating the chest in which the examiner hears an empirical antibiotics can be started pending fluid analysis.
‘‘a’’ sound when the patient is saying ‘‘e’’. As the effusion Antibiotic choice should include a third generation
increases, a shift of the mediastinum away from the affected cephalosporin and an antistaphylococcal b-lactamase –
side and occasionally a fullness of the intercostal spaces may resistant penicillin.16 Vancomycin should be considered if
also be appreciated. Hoover’s sign may be present with a large methicillin – resistant Staphylococcus aureus is suspected.
effusion in which the chest wall motion lags on the effected Antibiotics can later be adjusted if a particular organism is
side. Of note, the physical findings of a pleural effusion are identified. Most antibiotics have good penetration into the
often less definite in the infant. pleural space to achieve bactericidal levels. Although there are
Radiographs are an important tool in diagnosing a no evidenced-based guidelines for the duration of antibiotic
suspected pleural effusion. The first study should be a chest therapy, antibiotics should be intravenous until the child
radiograph, both posteroanterior and lateral. Generally, is afebrile and then continued orally for an additional 2 to
blunting of the costophrenic angle requires 200 to 400 mL 3 weeks.17
Copyr ight © Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
Beers and Abramo Pediatric Emergency Care Volume 23, Number 5, May 2007
Copyr ight © Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
Pediatric Emergency Care Volume 23, Number 5, May 2007 Pleural Effusions
syringe is advanced through the skin just over the top for early organizing empyemas (fibrinopurulent phase)
surface of the rib. Maintain continuous suction on the because it has significant success and is less invasive than
syringe while entering the pleural cavity. A decrease in a thoracotomy.15,33 – 38 However, decortication by standard
resistance and return of fluid indicate entry of the needle thoracotomy remains the treatment of choice for more
into the pleural space. Remove the syringe and needle. advanced organizing empyemas, when the lung is entrapped
Quickly attach another syringe (20 –50 mL), stopcock, and by a thick fibrous peel.15
T-connector. Remove some pleural fluid. At the end of the
procedure, remove the catheter, and apply pressure.
COMPLICATIONS AND SEQUELAE
Afterwards, always obtain a chest radiograph to rule out
a pneumothorax. With appropriate treatment, children with pleural
An alternative to chest tubes or percutaneous pigtail effusions should do well without long-term complications.
catheters for ongoing drainage of complicated pleural Although there are no published studies that evaluate long-
effusions or empyemas may be repeated ultrasound-guided term outcomes specifically with pleural effusions, Sarihan
thoracocentesis. Shoseyov et al22 compared repeat ultrasound- et al39 showed that most children returning for follow-up,
guided thoracocentesis with chest tube drainage in the several months after treatment of empyemas, had normal
treatment of pediatric empyema and found both treatments to chest radiographs. Only a small percentage of these children
be equally efficacious. showed persistent pleural thickening. Of the children who
The timing of drainage of complicated pleural effusions were old enough to perform pulmonary function tests, the
and empyemas has been studied in adults. Currently, there majority had normal function, with only 5 of 15 patients
have been no published pediatric studies, but several adult showing mild restrictive dysfunction.
studies conclude early chest tube placement upon diagnosis of
an empyema offers improved outcomes.23,24 REFERENCES
The use of fibrinolytic agents in loculated pleural
1. Symbas P. Chest drainage tubes. Surg Clin N Am. 1989;69:41– 46.
effusions has been shown to be effective therapy in the 2. Peters R. Empyema thoracis: historical perspective. Ann Thorac Surg.
pediatric population since the early 1990s.23,25,26 Their 1989;48:306– 308.
mechanism of action is to decrease fibrinous strands and 3. Light R. Management of empyema. Semin Respir Medicine.1992;13:
reopen pleural pores blocked by fibrinous debris, thereby 167–176.
helping the resorption of pleural fluid. Streptokinase, a 4. Rees J, Spencer D, Parikh D, et al. Increase in incidence of childhood
empyema in the West Midlands, UK. Lancet. 1997;349:402.
bacterially derived protein, and urokinase, a protein derived 5. Playfor S, Smyth A, Stewart R. Increase in incidence of childhood
from human urine, carry risk of anaphylactic and hypersen- empyema. Thorax. 1997;52:932.
sitivity reactions.27 – 31 Urokinase is no longer available in 6. Hardie W, Bokulic R, Garcia V, et al. Pneumococcal pleural empyemas
the United States. Tissue plasminogen activator is a in children. Clin Infect Dis. 1996;22:1057 –1063.
7. Byington C, Spencer L, Johnson T, et al. An epidemiologic investigation
recombinant fibrinolytic agent that is being used by many of a sustained high rate pediatric parapneumonic empyema: risk factors
physicians to facilitate the drainage of loculated pleural and microbiological associations. Clin Infect Dis. 2002;34:434 –440.
effusions in children. Feola et al26 showed effective therapy 8. Schultz K, Fan L, Pinsky J. The changing face of pleural empyemas
using tissue plasminogen activator in pediatric patients with in children: epidemiology and management. Pediatrics. 2004;113:
complicated pleural effusions. 1735–1740.
9. Ferguson A, Prescott R, Selkon J, et al. The clinical course and
In general, uncomplicated pleural effusions can be management of thoracic empyema. Q J Med. 1996;89:285–289.
managed conservatively without the need for surgical 10. Nelson J. Pleural empyema. Pediatr Infect Dis. 1985;4:S31– S33.
intervention. However, when the pleural effusion is compli- 11. Freij B, Kusmiesz H, Nelson J, et al. Parapneumonic effusions and
cated or has progressed to an empyema, there may be a need empyema in hospitalized children: a retrospective review of 227 cases.
Pediatr Infect Dis. 1984;3:578–591.
for surgical intervention beyond a chest tube. An empyema is 12. Panitch H, Pastamelos C, Schidlow D. Abnormalities of the pleural
believed to originate as a pleural effusion that subsequently space. In: Taussig L, Landau L, eds. Pediatric Respiratory Medicine.
becomes infected by an adjacent lung infection. About 5% St Louis, MO: Mosby. 1999:1178–1196.
of patients with pleural effusions will develop into an 13. Bryant R, Salmon S. Pleural empyema. Clin Infect Dis. 1996;22:
empyema.32 747 –764.
14. Moskowitz H, Platt R, Schachar R, et al. Roentgen visualization of
Empyemas are classified by stages of progression. minute pleural effusion. Radiology. 1973;109:33 –35.
During stage I or the exudative phase, fluid accumulates. 15. Cassina P, Hauser M, Hillejan L. Video-assisted thoracoscopy in the
During stage II or the fibrinopurulent phase, pus accumu- treatment of pleural empyema: stage-based management and outcome.
lates, and fibrin deposits produce a pleural peel and J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 1998;117:234–238.
16. Campbell J, Nataro J. Pleural empyema. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 1999;18:
loculations of the fluid. During stage III or the organizing 725 –726.
phase, fibroblasts proliferate and scar formation results in 17. Boyer D. Evaluation and management of a child with a pleural effusion.
lung entrapment.15,25 Pediatr Emerg Care. 2005;21:63–68.
Numerous recent studies in both adults and more 18. Utine G, Ozcelik U, Yalcin E, et al. Childhood parapneumonic
recently in pediatrics evaluated the role of video-assisted effusions* biochemical and inflammatory markers. Chest. 2005;128:
1436–1441.
thoracoscopy verses full thoracotomy with decortication in 19. Berger H, Morganroth M. Immediate drainage is not required for all
the treatment of empyemas. Consensus is that the video- patients with complicated parapneumonic effusions. Chest. 1990;97:
assisted thoracoscopy procedure is the treatment of choice 731 –735.
Copyr ight © Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
Beers and Abramo Pediatric Emergency Care Volume 23, Number 5, May 2007
20. Roberts J, Bratton S, Brogan T. Efficacy and complications of 30. Perri JA, Stahfeld KR, Villella ER, et al. The management of
percutaneous pigtail catheters for thoracostomy in pediatric patients. anaphylactoid reactions to urokinase. J Vasc Surg. 1994;20:846–847.
Chest. 1998;114:1116–1121. 31. Vidovich R, Heiselman D, Hudock D. Treatment of urokinase-related
21. Fuhrman B, Landrum B, Ferrara B. Pleural drainage using modified anaphylactoid reactions with intravenous famotidine. Ann Pharmacother.
pigtail catheters. Crit Care Med. 1986;14:575 –576. 1992;26:782–783.
22. Shoseyov D, Bibi H, Shatzberg G, et al. Short-term course and outcome 32. Light R. Parapneumonic effusions and empyema. In: Light R,
of treatments of pleural empyema in pediatric patients* repeated ed. Pleural Diseases. Baltimore, MD: Williams & Wilkins; 1995:
ultrasound-guided needle thoracocentesis vs chest tube drainage. Chest. 129–153.
2002;121:836– 840. 33. Klena J, Cameron B, Lnager J, et al. Timing of video-assisted
23. Thompson A, Hull J, Kumar M, et al. Randomized trial of intra-pleural thoracoscopic debridement for pediatric empyema. J Am Coll Surg.
urokinase in the treatment of childhood empyema. Thorax. 2002;57: 1998;187:404 –408.
343–347. 34. Grewal H, Jackson R, Wagner C, et al. Early video-assisted
24. Ashbaugh D. Empyema thoracis: factors influencing morbidity and thoracic surgery in the management of empyema. Pediatrics. 1999;
mortality. Chest. 1991;99:1162–1165. 103:1022.
25. Barnes N, Hull J, Thompson A. Medical management of parapneumonic 35. Merry C, Bufo A, Shah R, et al. Early definitive intervention
pleural disease. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2005;39:127–134. by thoracoscopy in pediatric empyema. J Pediatr Surg. 1999;43:
26. Feola G, Shaw C, Coburn L. Management of complicated para- 178–181.
pneumonic effusions in children. Tech Vasc Interv Radiol. 2003;6: 36. Doski J, Lou D, Hicks B, et al. Management of parapneumonic
197–204. collections in infants and children. J Pediatr Surg. 2000;35:265 –270.
27. Tillett W, Sherry S. The effects in the patients of streptococcal 37. Kercher K, Attorri R, Hoover J, et al. Thoracoscopic decortication as
fibrinolysin (streptokinase) and streptococcal deoxyribonuclease on first-line therapy for pediatric parapneumonic empyema. A case series.
fibrinous, purulent and sanguinous pleural exudations. J Clin Invest. Chest. 2000;118:24–27.
1949;23:173– 179. 38. Subramaniam R, Joseph V, Tan GM, et al. Experience with video-
28. Tillet W, Sherry S, Read C. Use of streptokinase-streptodornase in the assisted thoracoscopic surgery in the management of complicated
treatment of postpneumonic empyema. J Thorac Surg. 1951;21:275–297. pneumonia in children. J Pediatr Surg. 2001;36:316–319.
29. Godley P, Bell R. Major hemorrhage following administration of 39. Sarihan H, Cay A, Aynaci M, et al. Empyema in children. J Cardiovasc
intrapleural streptokinase. Chest. 1984;86:486– 487. Surg. 1998;39:113–116.
Copyr ight © Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
Pediatric Emergency Care Volume 23, Number 5, May 2007 Pleural Effusions
CME EXAM
Instructions for the Pediatric Emergency Care CME Program Examination
To earn CME credit, you must read the designated article and complete the examination below, answering at least 80%
of the questions correctly. Mail a photocopy of the completed answer sheet to the Lippincott CME Institute, Inc., 770
Township Line Road, Suite 300, Yardley, PA 19067. Only the first answer form will be considered for credit and must be
received by Lippincott CME Institute, Inc. by July 15, 2007. Answer sheets will be graded and certificates will be mailed to
each participant within six to eight weeks after LCMEI, Inc. receipt. The answers for this examination will appear in the
August 2007 issue of Pediatric Emergency Care.
Credits
Lippincott Continuing Medical Education Institute, Inc. designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1 AMA
PRA Category 1 CreditTM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Accreditation
Lippincott Continuing Medical Education Institute, Inc. is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing
Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
CME EXAMINATION
May 2007
1. The father of a 3-year-old boy brings his son to the shows: 15,000 white blood cells/mm3, lactate dehydro-
emergency department with persistence of chest pain, cough, genase 140, and pH 7.3. After inserting a pigtail catheter,
and upper abdominal pain for 1 week, not improving after you might begin treatment with:
treatment with amoxicillin for 3 days. Chest radiograph a) Cefotaxime
shows a small pleural effusion on the left and possible b) Penicillin
blunting of the right costophrenic angle. Via thoracentesis on c) Ampicillin
the left side, you obtain 10 mL of clear, mildly straw-colored d) Ciprofloxacin
fluid with a lactate dehydrogenase level of 1200 IU/L and e) Azithromycin
pH of 7.1. The most likely cause of this effusion is: 4. A 7-year-old girl complains of fever and cough for 1 week.
a) Pneumonia due to Staphylococcus aureus She has been taking penicillin for a presumed streptococ-
b) Infection with Mycoplasma pneumoniae cal pharyngitis for 2 days without improvement. Chest
c) Pulmonary tuberculosis radiograph shows a left-sided pneumonia with a large
d) Congestive failure from myocarditis pleural effusion that layers out in lateral decubitus view.
e) Subdiaphragmatic abscess You decide to place a pigtail catheter using a guidewire in
2. A 12-year-old boy complains of fever and right-sided the following location on the left side.
chest pain for 5 days. His examination reveals decreased a) 2nd intercostals space, anterior axillary line
breath sounds on the right, and a chest radiograph b) 2nd intercostals space, mild axillary line
confirms a small pleural effusion that is barely visible c) 4th intercostals space, mid clavicular line
as blunting of the right costophrenic angle. The amount of d) 5th intercostals space, mid axillary line
fluid in his pleural space is likely to be approximately: e) 6th intercostals space, mid scapular line
a) 2 mL 5. A 14-year-old girl with pneumonia and an uncomplicated
b) 10 mL pleural effusion, based on analysis of the fluid obtained by
c) 50 mL thoracentesis, seems mildly short of breath 2 hours after
d) 250 mL the procedure. A repeat chest radiograph shows an effusion
e) 1250 mL that has increased slightly in size and the absence of any
3. A 4-year-old boy is diagnosed with a right-sided pneumothorax. Her oxygen saturation is 97%. You decide
pneumonia and pleural effusion. Analysis of the fluid- to drain the effusion and ask a colleague to assist you, as
Copyr ight © Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
Beers and Abramo Pediatric Emergency Care Volume 23, Number 5, May 2007
you will be sedating the patient. Your colleague sees you a) Is inserted in the posterior axillary line
open up a kit with a pigtail catheter and suggests a large b) Leaves a smaller scar at the insertion site
bore chest tube instead. You reply that you prefer a c) Becomes obstructed less frequently
pigtail catheter because, as compared with a large bore d) Drains thick fluid more effectively
chest tube, a pigtail catheter: e) Can remain in place longer
Copyr ight © Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
Pediatric Emergency Care Volume 23, Number 5, May 2007 Pleural Effusions
City/State/Zip ___________________________________________________________________________________________
Specialty _______________________________________________________________________________________________
1. A B C D E
2. A B C D E
3. A B C D E
4. A B C D E
5. A B C D E
Your evaluation of this CME activity will help guide future planning. Please respond to the following questions.
1. Did the content of the article(s) meet the stated learning objectives?
[ ] Yes [ ] No
2. On a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest, how do you rank the overall quality of this educational activity as it pertains to
your practice?
[]5 []4 []3 []2 []1
3. As a result of meeting the learning objectives of this educational activity, will you be changing your practice behavior in
a manner that improves your patient care? If yes, please explain.
[ ] Yes [ ] No
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. Did you perceive any evidence of bias for or against any comercial products? If so, please explain.
[ ] Yes [ ] No
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5. Please state one or two topics that you would like to see addressed in future issues.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
6. How long did it take you to complete this CME activity?
__________hour(s) __________minutes
Copyr ight © Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
Beers and Abramo Pediatric Emergency Care Volume 23, Number 5, May 2007
Below you will find the answers to the examination covering the review article in the February 2007 issue. All participants whose
examinations were postmarked by April 15, 2007 and who achieved a score of 80% or greater will receive a certificate from
Lippincott CME Institute, Inc.
EXAM ANSWERS
February 2007
1. D
2. C
3. B
4. B
5. D
Copyr ight © Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.