[Purulent pleurisy and empyema. With the exception of pleural tuberculosis].

Clinical Setting: Purulent collections in the pleural cavity usually occur as complications of pneumonia in immunodeficient or socially underprivileged patients.

Puncture Aspiration: The key to diagnosis, pleural aspiration is indicated in case of sufficiently abundant collections, especially in patients with fever. Exploratory puncture is a therapeutic emergency, allowing optimal antibiotic therapy when a causal germ is isolated and drainage of the purulent collection.