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The extrapleural fat in empyema: CT appearance
J E Takasugi1, J D Godwin, S A Teefey
1Department of Radiology (114), Seattle VAMC, WA 98108.
The British Journal of Radiology
|July 1, 1991
Summary
Chest wall changes, like high attenuation in extrapleural tissues, are common with pleural empyema. These changes, often due to infection or hematoma, are not typically seen with transudative pleural effusions.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Thoracic Medicine
Background:
- Pleural empyema, an infection within the pleural space, can affect adjacent structures.
- Chest wall abnormalities may be associated with pleural effusions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the characteristics of the chest wall in patients with pleural effusions using computed tomography (CT).
- To differentiate chest wall changes associated with empyema from those with transudative effusions.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of CT scans from 24 patients with pleural effusions.
- Categorization of effusions into empyema (18 patients) and transudative (6 patients).
- Evaluation of extrapleural tissues for abnormalities, particularly high attenuation.
Main Results:
- Thirteen of 18 empyema patients showed abnormally high extrapleural tissue attenuation, likely from infection or hematoma.
- Five empyema patients had no clear abnormality or insufficient data for assessment.
- All six patients with transudative effusions had normal-appearing extrapleural fat.
Conclusions:
- Abnormally high extrapleural tissue attenuation on CT is a potential indicator of exudative pleural effusion, especially empyema.
- This finding is not characteristic of transudative pleural effusions.