The Evaluation and Cluster Analysis of Parapneumonic Effusion in Childhood

Abstract

We studied 80 children with parapneumonic effusion (PPE) with respect to the clinical manifestations and treatment alternatives as well as prospective follow-up for 1 year. Out of the 80 patients, 59 per cent were male. The mean age of the patients was 4.0 +/- 3.1 years. Mild effusion was successfully treated by antibiotic alone in 33 per cent of the patients. Tube thoracostomy (TT) was utilized in 63 per cent of the patients. In this group, 11 healed completely, 13 patients required surgical treatment, and 25 required fibrinolytic therapy (FT). FT was successful in 18, and no complication due to FT was observed. Six patients who received FT required surgical therapy later in the course of treatment. Cluster analysis revealed a group of patients with rapid progression and a short history of symptoms (4-6 days) that showed significantly higher rate of complicated prognosis (p<0.05). Successful FT prevented surgical operation in 22 per cent of the patients who were candidates for surgical treatment. The follow-up for one year revealed sequelae on chest X-ray in 28 per cent of the patients most of whom had an operation for necrotizing pneumonia. Pulmonary function tests performed over seven years of age were abnormal in 57 per cent of the patients.

Plevral Efüzyonla Hastaneye Yatan Çocukların Epidemiyolojik Ve Klinik Profili: Tek Merkez Deneyimi 2012-2022

“…Two different studies reported the rate of empyema in cases with pleural effusion to be 60.3% and 61.7% (8,19). Staphylococcus aureus, S. pneumoniae and S. pyogenes have been reported as the most common pathogens causing empyema in children (7)(8)(9)(10)(19)(20). In our study, the pathogens were similar to those reported in the literature, although the rate of Streptococcus pyogenes was higher.…”

Long‐term outcome of parapneumonic effusions in children: Lung function and exercise tolerance

“…Other reports revealed mild restrictive or obstructive abnormalities in children tested at least 1 year from the initial infection. Abnormal lung function in four out of eight children was found by Hacimustafaoglou et al, tested 1 year after PPE. Obstructive pattern in spirometric parameters has been noted by Hartl et al, in 8 out of 14 children with empyema.…”

Sex differences in the incidence and severity of respiratory tract infections

“…Lung abscess and empyema thoracis: The single available study 84 suggested that lung abscess develops more often in men than in women. The studies that examined patients with empyema thoracis [85][86][87] came up to the same conclusions.…”