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Updated: May 23, 2026

A Retrospective Study on Endoscopic Surgery for the Treatment of Paravertebral Abscess in Spinal Tuberculosis Patients

A Retrospective Study on Endoscopic Surgery for the Treatment of Paravertebral Abscess in Spinal Tuberculosis Patients

Published on: October 25, 2024

Spontaneous bacterial empyema.

Chih-Yen Tu¹, Chia-Hung Chen

¹Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.

Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine

|March 28, 2012

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Spontaneous bacterial empyema (SBEM) in cirrhotic patients is rare but deadly. Early diagnosis via thoracentesis and prompt cephalosporin treatment are crucial, with MELD-Na score predicting mortality.

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Last Updated: May 23, 2026

A Retrospective Study on Endoscopic Surgery for the Treatment of Paravertebral Abscess in Spinal Tuberculosis Patients

A Retrospective Study on Endoscopic Surgery for the Treatment of Paravertebral Abscess in Spinal Tuberculosis Patients

Published on: October 25, 2024

Area of Science:

Hepatology
Infectious Diseases
Critical Care Medicine

Background:

Spontaneous bacterial empyema (SBEM) is a serious infection of hepatic hydrothorax in cirrhosis patients.
It carries significant morbidity and mortality, yet studies are infrequent.

Purpose of the Study:

To review recent data on clinical characteristics, bacteriology, and management of SBEM in cirrhosis.
To identify predictors of outcome in cirrhotic patients with SBEM.

Main Methods:

Review of recent literature on SBEM in cirrhotic patients.
Analysis of clinical characteristics, causative pathogens, and treatment strategies.
Identification of outcome predictors using regression analysis.

Main Results:

Enterobacteriaceae (E. coli, K. pneumoniae) are primary pathogens; third-generation cephalosporins are first-line therapy.
Chest-tube placement is not indicated; MELD-Na score, ICU admission, and treatment failure predict poor outcomes.
High MELD-Na score is a significant predictor of SBEM mortality.

Conclusions:

SBEM is a rare but high-mortality complication of cirrhosis, necessitating a high index of suspicion.
Prompt diagnostic thoracentesis and appropriate antibiotic therapy are vital.
The MELD-Na score is a stronger predictor of in-hospital mortality than the Child-Pugh score.