A 65-year-old man on ICU is being treated for an empyema. A chest drain is in situ but the fluid is loculated on CT. The pleural fluid pH is 6.8, gluc...

Question

A 65-year-old man on ICU is being treated for an empyema. A chest drain is in situ but the fluid is loculated on CT. The pleural fluid pH is 6.8, glucose

Accepted Answer

Intrapleural alteplase (tPA) combined with intrapleural DNase (dornase alfa)

Answer

Intrapleural streptokinase

Answer

Intrapleural antibiotics

Answer

Intrapleural saline washout only

Answer

Intrapleural corticosteroids

uk-fficm MCQ (SBA): Empyema

A 65-year-old man on ICU is being treated for an empyema. A chest drain is in situ but the fluid is loculated on CT. The pleural fluid pH is 6.8, glucose <1.0 mmol/L, LDH 3500 U/L. What intrapleural therapy may help break down the loculations?