ABSTRACT
Empyema thoracis occurs when bacteria enter the sterile pleural space and overwhelm the normal pleural defense mechanisms. The most common mode of entry for these bacteria is transpleural migration following pneumonia. Bacteria may also enter the pleural space following a thoracic surgical procedure or after the development of a bronchopleural fistula. Empyema can result from extension of a subphrenic abscess or through esophageal rupture. Identifying and correcting the etiology of the empyema is critical to successful treatment.
