Empyema
From Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core
| Empyema | |
|---|---|
| Classification and external resources | |
| Specialty | Lua error in Module:Wikidata at line 446: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). |
| ICD-10 | J86.9 |
| MedlinePlus | 000123 |
| Patient UK | Empyema |
| MeSH | D004653 |
An empyema (from Greek ἐμπύημα, "abscess") is a collection or gathering of pus within a naturally existing anatomical cavity. For example, pleural empyema is empyema of the pleural cavity. It must be differentiated from an abscess, which is a collection of pus in a newly formed cavity.
Classification
In human medicine, empyema occurs in:
- the pleural cavity (pleural empyema also known as pyothorax)
- the thoracic cavity
- the uterus (pyometra)
- the appendix (appendicitis)
- the meninges (subdural empyema)
- the joints (septic arthritis)
- the gallbladder
