Abstract:

Background: Empyema affects 2 to 12 percent of children with community acquired-pneumonia. The incidence rates of pneumococcal and streptococcal empyema remained unchanged, whereas the incidence rates of staphylococcal and other or unspecified empyema increased after initiation of pneumococcal vaccine. Prevalence is higher in immunocompromised patients and those with comorbidities.

Objective: To determine the prevalence, presentation, causes and treatment outcomes of empyema thoracic at Bugando medical centre.

Methodology: Descriptive retrospective study was conducted involving patients who were admitted in cardiothoracic, pediatric and medical wards. The data was collected using checklists at Bugando medical centre medical records department. The data was analyzed using SPSS program and descriptive statistics was done. The study results will be distributed to cardiothoracic, pediatric and internal medicine departments, CUHAS library and Shinyanga regional hospital.

Results: The overall prevalence of thoracic empyema at Bugando medical centre patients managed by cardiothoracic department in 2016 from January to November in 10.22%. Cough was the most prevalent symptom, 96.9% of patients had cough, 93.8% had fever, 90.6% had difficulty in breathing and 81.3% complained of chest pain. Pleural fluid culture done in 28.1% of patients but no growth reported. Prior chest surgical procedure was prevalent risk factor in empyema patients compared to chest injuries, alcoholism and smoking. Tuberculosis was the leading co-morbidity followed by HIV, Diabetes mellitus was absent. Most patients improved on analgesics, antibiotics, thoracocentesis and under water seal drainage. The case fatality rate was 3.1% among empyema patients.