Medical Thoracoscopy in the Management of Parapneumonic Pleural Effusions and Empyema

With the advent of effective treatment with antibiotics, parapneumonic pleural effusions and empyema have become a less-frequent clinical problem. These complications do, however, remain a significant cause of mortality and morbidity in infectious pulmonary pathology. Late diagnosis and delayed treatment lengthen the duration of the illness and are very often the cause of invasive surgery.