Purulent pleurisy is a medical term used to describe an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the lungs that is characterized by the presence of pus. The spelling of the word "purulent" is pronounced as /ˈpjʊərjələnt/, wherein the "u" is pronounced like the phoneme in "butter," the "j" sounds like the "y" in "yes" followed by the "oo" sound in "pool." The word "pleurisy," on the other hand, is spelled as /ˈplʊərɪsi/, with the "u" and "i" creating a diphthong.
Purulent pleurisy, also known as empyema, is a medical condition characterized by an accumulation of pus in the pleural space, which is the thin space between the layers of tissue that line the lungs and the chest cavity. Pleurisy refers to the inflammation of the pleura, and when pus develops in this space, it leads to purulent pleurisy.
Purulent pleurisy often occurs as a complication of pre-existing respiratory infections, such as pneumonia or lung abscesses, but can also result from trauma, surgery, or the spread of infection from nearby organs. The accumulation of pus in the pleural space results in the thickening and swelling of the pleura, causing severe chest pain that worsens with breathing or coughing.
Symptoms of purulent pleurisy may include chest pain, difficulty breathing, cough with or without sputum production, fever, chills, fatigue, and occasionally, coughing up blood. The diagnosis of purulent pleurisy is usually made through a combination of physical examination, medical history, imaging tests (such as chest X-rays or CT scans), and analysis of pleural fluid obtained through a procedure called thoracentesis.
Treatment for purulent pleurisy involves draining the accumulated pus through either a tube insertion into the chest cavity (thoracostomy) or a surgical procedure (thoracotomy) to remove the infected tissue. Antibiotics are also prescribed to target the underlying infection causing the purulent pleurisy. Timely treatment is essential to prevent complications like lung damage, sepsis, or the spread of infection to other parts of the body.
Empyema, pyothorax.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The etymology of the term "purulent pleurisy" can be broken down as follows:
1. Purulent: This word comes from the Latin word "purulentus", which means "full of pus". It is derived from the Latin word "pus", which refers to the thick, yellowish-white fluid produced during an infection. In medical terminology, "purulent" is used to describe a condition or discharge characterized by the presence of pus.
2. Pleurisy: This word is derived from the Greek word "pleurítis", which means "inflammation of the pleura". The term "pleura" refers to a thin, double-layered membrane that lines the lungs and the inner surface of the chest wall. Pleurisy is an inflammatory condition of the pleura, typically characterized by chest pain and difficulty breathing.