Pleural infection

Abstract

The mortality of pleural infections is substantial but is reduced by fast and correct diagnostic work-up and treatment which therefore should be initiated sub-acutely and evaluated frequently. More advanced treatment including intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy should be performed in departments specialized in pleural infections. Soon it will be clarified if initial thoracic surgery could be a superior treatment. In Denmark, this review finds, there is a need to focus on more swift sub-acute diagnostics and treatment initiation of pleural infection.