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Intrapleural streptokinase as adjunctive treatment for persistent empyema in pediatric patients
H Rosen1, V Nadkarni, M Theroux
1Department of Pediatrics, Medical Center of Delaware, Wilmington 19718.
Insights
Intrapleural streptokinase effectively treated persistent empyema in five pediatric patients, improving drainage and clinical outcomes. This adjunctive therapy shows promise for pediatric empyema management.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Thoracic Surgery
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Persistent empyema poses a significant challenge in pediatric patients.
- Traditional treatments may not always resolve complex pleural space infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intrapleural streptokinase as an adjunctive therapy for persistent pediatric empyema.
- To assess the impact on chest tube drainage and clinical resolution.
Main Methods:
- Case series of five pediatric patients with persistent empyema.
- Administration of intrapleural streptokinase via chest tube.
- Monitoring of clinical improvement and drainage output.
Main Results:
- All five patients showed dramatic improvement in empyema resolution.
- Concurrent improvement in chest tube drainage and clinical status was observed.
- Intrapleural streptokinase was well-tolerated in this cohort.
Conclusions:
- Intrapleural streptokinase appears to be a safe and effective adjunctive treatment for persistent pediatric empyema.
- Further research is needed to confirm long-term efficacy and outcomes.
Abstract:
Successful treatment of persistent empyema by intrapleural streptokinase is described in five pediatric patients. Their ages ranged from 18 months to 7 years. All experienced dramatic improvement in the resolution of their empyemas following intrapleural streptokinase. Improved chest tube drainage occurred concurrently with clinical improvement. Intrapleural instillation of streptokinase appears to be a safe adjunctive therapeutic tool to facilitate drainage of persistent empyema in the small number of pediatric patients in whom it has been employed. Additional study will be required to further assess the long-term therapeutic efficacy and consequences of intrapleural streptokinase therapy.