Empyema Necessitans due to Interruption of Antituberculosis Treatment

Abstract

Empyema necessitans is a rare presentation of tuberculous infection, commonly encountered in immunocompromised patients. The diagnosis can be challenging due to the paucibacillary nature of the condition and nonspecific symptoms. Identifying the organism in culture is the gold standard method of diagnosis. We describe a patient with chronic kidney disease, who developed empyema necessitans due to interruption of antituberculous therapy. Initially, he was started on antituberculous therapy based on a clinical diagnosis of smear-negative pulmonary tuberculous infection; this resulted in Stevens-Johnson syndrome needing a long course of steroid therapy. He later presented with a painful chest lump and was diagnosed as empyema necessitans. Finding the etiology for this rare presentation lead to a diagnostic dilemma, finally confirming the TB infection from the culture. This case highlights the importance of being aware of unusual complications of tuberculous infection in immunocompromised settings.

Figure 1

Chest X-ray showing left-sided consolidation and an effusion.

Figure 2

CECT chest showing left side empyema necessitans with rib destruction (arrow).

Figure 3

CECT chest exudative fluid in pleural cavity tracks down making fistula.