Key Features of Empyema:
Symptoms:
. Persistent productive cough
. Fever
. Chest tightness
. Pleuritic chest pain
. Night sweats
. Weight loss
Physical Examination:
1. Unilateral basal crackles
Imaging:
1. Unilateral lobar consolidation on chest X-ray
2. Possible pleural effusion
Laboratory Findings:
i. Elevated white blood cells (WBCs)
ii. Elevated C-reactive protein (CRP)
Investigations:
. Pleural Aspiration: To confirm the diagnosis of empyema by identifying pus in the pleural space.
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