Thoracic empyema due to bacterial translocation in acute appendicitis

Abstract

Appendicitis and thoracic empyema are rarely presented together. Herein, we present a thoracic empyema due to bacterial translocation in a patient, after she underwent appendicectomy for nonperforated acute appendicitis. Postoperative third day, thoracic empyema was revealed clinically and radiologically. Tube thoracostomy and antibiotherapy were performed. Despite all these therapy, her symptoms went on, and abdominal ultrasonography revealed multilocular collections and formations of abscess in the abdomen. All abscesses were drained by nonvascular interventional radiologic methods. We believe that simultaneous occurence of thoracic empyema and formations of abscess were occured due to bacterial translocation.