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Published on: February 9, 2011
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus-associated empyema necessitans in a child: A case report and a literature
Ghada Habachi1, Sondes Sahli1, Sabrine Ben Ammar1
1Department of Pediatric Surgery "A", Children's Hospital of Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia *Email: habachighada92@gmail.com.
Introduction:
Empyema is a known complication of severe pleuropneumonia. In rare cases, if poorly treated, it could result in dissemination and fistulization and transformation into empyema necessitans. The manifestation may appear as a superficial abscess. However, as management highly differs, the recognition of potentially severe phenomenon is required.
Case Presentation:
We describe a case of empyema necessitans on a 4-year-old girl secondary to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. It represents the sixth pediatric case reported in the literature. It was managed by open drainage and prolonged antibiotherapy. The outcome was favorable as guidelines were extracted from similar reported cases.
Conclusion:
Empyema necessitans remains a rare complication with significant morbidity. Prompt diagnosis and adapted management have relied on limited literature. As such, further reports are necessary to establish proper guidelines.
Insights
Empyema necessitans is a rare complication of severe pleuropneumonia. This case highlights successful management in a pediatric patient, emphasizing the need for further reports to guide treatment.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Thoracic Surgery
Background:
- Empyema, a complication of severe pleuropneumonia, can progress to empyema necessitans if untreated.
- Empyema necessitans, characterized by chest wall abscess formation, requires distinct management strategies.
Observation:
- A rare pediatric case of empyema necessitans secondary to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in a 4-year-old girl is presented.
- The condition manifested as a superficial abscess, mimicking less severe presentations.
Findings:
- Successful management involved open drainage and extended antibiotic therapy.
- This case represents the sixth pediatric instance reported in medical literature.
Implications:
- Prompt recognition and adapted management are crucial for favorable outcomes in empyema necessitans.
- Further case reports are essential for developing evidence-based clinical guidelines for this rare condition.
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