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Streptococcus pneumoniae empyema necessitatis

Alexandra F Freeman1, Tamar Ben-Ami, Stanford T Shulman

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, The Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Children's Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL, USA.

The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal
|February 12, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Empyema necessitatis is a rare chest wall complication of empyema. This case highlights Streptococcus pneumoniae as a cause, differing from common etiologies like tuberculosis.

Area of Science:

  • Medicine
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Empyema necessitatis is a rare condition where empyema (pus in the pleural space) extends through the chest wall.
  • Common causes include tuberculosis and actinomycosis, often seen in adults.
  • Pediatric cases are less common and etiologies can vary.

Observation:

  • A 1-year-old boy presented with symptoms suggestive of empyema necessitatis.
  • Diagnostic imaging confirmed the extension of infection from the pleural space.
  • Cultures identified Streptococcus pneumoniae as the causative pathogen.

Findings:

  • This case represents a rare pediatric instance of empyema necessitatis.
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae was identified as the etiological agent, which is an uncommon cause.
  • A review of existing literature on empyema necessitatis was conducted.

Implications:

  • Highlights Streptococcus pneumoniae as a potential cause of empyema necessitatis in children.
  • Underscores the importance of considering diverse pathogens in pediatric empyema.
  • Contributes to the understanding of rare infectious disease presentations in pediatric populations.

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