Empyema

The pleural cavity is infected with purulent pathogens and produces an accumulation of purulent exudate, called empyema. According to the scope of the disease, it is divided into total empyema and local empyema. A total empyema means that pus occupies the entire pleural cavity. A confined empyema refers to the accumulation of pus in the lungs and the chest wall or the diaphragm or mediastinum, or between the lung lobe and the lung lobe.