Empyema necessitatis is a medical term referring to a condition where a pus-filled cavity develops in the chest, causing a rupture through the chest wall. This condition is often caused by a severe lung infection. The spelling of the word is based on the Latin roots empyema and necessitas. The pronunciation of this term is /ɛmpaɪˈiːməˌnɛsɪtətɪs/. Understanding the IPA phonetic transcription helps to correctly pronounce and spell challenging medical terms, like empyema necessitatis.
Empyema necessitatis is a medical term that refers to a rare and serious complication of empyema, which is the collection of pus in the pleural cavity of the chest. The term "necessitatis" is derived from the Latin word "necessitas," meaning necessity, and it signifies the urgency and severity of this condition.
Empyema necessitatis occurs when the accumulated pus in the pleural cavity extends through the chest wall, resulting in the formation of a localized abscess or sinus tract on the surface of the skin. This condition typically affects the thoracic region, particularly in the lower chest or upper abdomen.
The primary cause of empyema necessitatis is a persistent empyema that has been left untreated or inadequately managed, allowing the infection to advance outside the pleural cavity. Common causative agents are bacteria, including Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus.
Symptoms of empyema necessitatis may include a painful, fluctuant swelling or abscess on the skin, localized redness, warmth, and tenderness. The skin over the affected area may also show signs of inflammation or ulceration. If left untreated, the abscess may rupture, leading to the drainage of pus and further complications.
The treatment of empyema necessitatis usually involves a combination of surgical intervention and antibiotic therapy. The abscess or sinus tract is typically drained surgically, either through incision and drainage or by creating a surgical opening called a thoracostomy or thoracotomy. Concurrently, the underlying empyema is managed with appropriate antibiotics to control the infection.
Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are essential to prevent complications and further spread of the infection. Regular follow-up and close monitoring are necessary to
A form of e. of the chest in which the pus burrows to the outside, producing a subcutaneous abscess which finally ruptures, resulting in spontaneous recovery without the necessity of operation.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "empyema necessitatis" is derived from Latin and consists of two parts:
1. "Empyema": This term comes from the Greek word "empúēma", which means "pus". The Latin version of this term is "empyema", which refers to the accumulation of pus in a body cavity, usually as a result of an infection.
2. "Necessitatis": This word is derived from the Latin term "necessitās", which means "necessity" or "compulsion". In medical usage, "necessitatis" refers to a medical condition where the accumulated pus within a body cavity, such as the thoracic cavity, exerts pressure and causes the pus to breach through the tissues, resulting in a rupture and drainage of the pus externally.