Author(s):
Gauri Bhutada, Vishnu Vardhan
Email(s):
gauribhu1998@gmail.com
DOI:
10.52711/2349-2988.2025.00016
Address:
Gauri Bhutada1, Vishnu Vardhan2
1Second-Year MPT Student, Department of Cardiovascular and Respiratory Physiotherapy, Ravi Nair Physiotherapy College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Sawangi (Meghe), Wardha - 442001.
2Head of the Department, Cardiovascular and Respiratory Physiotherapy Department, Ravi Nair Physiotherapy College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Sawangi (Meghe), Wardha - 442001.
*Corresponding Author
Published In:
Volume - 17,
Issue - 2,
Year - 2025
ABSTRACT:
The Pus in the pleural space is referred to as empyema and is frequently caused by nearby pneumonia, trauma to the chest wall, or a complication following thoracic surgery. Pleural empyema is a serious condition characterized by the accumulation of purulent material in the pleural space, often resulting from bacterial infection. Early intervention and targeted treatment strategies are crucial in managing this condition effectively. This case study describes how early intervention and chest physical therapy helped a 44-year-old patient successfully manage pleural empyema. The patient received early antibiotic medication and chest physiotherapy, which included postural drainage and percussion, for their fever, chest pain, and respiratory distress. This method eliminated the need for more invasive operations by significantly reducing pleural empyema, enhancing lung function, and alleviating symptoms. This case illustrates the effectiveness of combining early medical and physiotherapeutic therapies in improving outcomes for pleural empyema.
Cite this article:
Gauri Bhutada, Vishnu Vardhan. The Role of Early Respiratory Physiotherapy Rehabilitation in the Recovery of a patient with Pleural Empyema - A Case Report. Research Journal of Science and Technology. 2025; 17(2):115-8. doi: 10.52711/2349-2988.2025.00016
Cite(Electronic):
Gauri Bhutada, Vishnu Vardhan. The Role of Early Respiratory Physiotherapy Rehabilitation in the Recovery of a patient with Pleural Empyema - A Case Report. Research Journal of Science and Technology. 2025; 17(2):115-8. doi: 10.52711/2349-2988.2025.00016 Available on: https://rjstonline.com/AbstractView.aspx?PID=2025-17-2-3
REFERENCES:
1. Redden MD, Chin TY, Driel ML van. Surgical versus non‐surgical management for pleural empyema. Cochrane Database Syst Rev [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2024 Aug 26] ;(3). Available from: https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD010651.pub2/full
2. Scarci M, Abah U, Solli P, Page A, Waller D, van Schil P, et al. EACTS expert consensus statement for surgical management of pleural empyema. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg. 2015 Nov 1;48(5):642–53.
3. Lin J, Zhang Y, Bao C, Lu H, Zhong Y, Huang C, et al. The Clinical Features and Management of Empyema Caused by Streptococcus constellatus. Infect Drug Resist. 2022 Jan 1; 15:6267–77.
4. Dyrhovden R, Nygaard RM, Patel R, Ulvestad E, Kommedal Ø. The bacterial aetiology of pleural empyema. A descriptive and comparative metagenomic study. Clin Microbiol Infect. 2019 Aug 1;25(8):981–6.
5. Prabawa IMY, Silakarma D, Manuaba IBAP, Widnyana M, Jeviana A. Chest therapy and breathing exercise in COVID-19 patient: a case report. Bali Med J. 2021 Jun 13;10(2):495–8.
6. Karkhanis VS, Joshi JM. Pleural effusion: diagnosis, treatment, and management. Open Access Emerg Med OAEM. 2012; 4:31–52.
7. Hage CA, Wheat LJ, Loyd J, Allen SD, Blue D, Knox KS. Pulmonary Histoplasmosis. Semin Respir Crit Care Med. 2008 Apr;29(2):151–65.
8. Valdez AF, Miranda DZ, Guimarães AJ, Nimrichter L, Nosanchuk JD. Pathogenicity & virulence of Histoplasma capsulatum - A multifaceted organism adapted to intracellular environments. Virulence. 2022 Dec;13(1):1900–19.
9. Influence of Zinc on Histoplasma capsulatum Planktonic and Biofilm Cells - PubMed [Internet]. [cited 2024 Aug 29]. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38786716/
10. Nabet C, Belzunce C, Blanchet D, Abboud P, Djossou F, Carme B, et al. Histoplasma capsulatum causing sinusitis: a case report in French Guiana and review of the literature. BMC Infect Dis. 2018 Nov 26;18(1):595.
11. A Case of Oral Histoplasmosis Concomitant with Pulmonary Tuberculosis - PubMed [Internet]. [cited 2024 Aug 29]. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31781410/
12. Freeman AF, Ben-Ami T, Shulman ST. Streptococcus pneumoniae empyema necessitatis. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2004 Feb;23(2):177–9.
13. Pathan A, Yadav V, Jain M, Saifee S. An Early Comprehensive Physiotherapy Approach towards Reconditioning of Patient with Empyema Thoracis: A Case Study. J Pharm Res Int. 2021 Dec 17;108–12.
14. The management of pleural space infections - Chapman - 2004 - Respirology - Wiley Online Library [Internet]. [cited 2024 Aug 29]. Available from: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1440-1843.2003.00535.x
15. Pahal P, Rajasurya V, Sharma S. Typical Bacterial Pneumonia. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 [cited 2024 Aug 29]. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534295/
16. Krishna R, Antoine MH, Rudrappa M. Pleural Effusion. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 [cited 2024 Aug 29]. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448189/
17. Jain MJ, Vardhan V. SARS-CoV-2 atypical viral pneumonia with 25/25 computed tomography score. Pan Afr Med J. 2021; 39:161.
18. IJPOT July-sept 2010.pdf [Internet]. [cited 2024 Aug 29]. Available from: https://ijpot.com/scripts/IJPOT%20July-sept%202010.pdf#page=21
19. Valenza-Demet G, Valenza MC, Cabrera-Martos I, Torres-Sánchez I, Revelles-Moyano F. The effects of a physiotherapy programme on patients with a pleural effusion: a randomized controlled trial. Clin Rehabil. 2014 Nov;28(11):1087–95.
20. da Conceição Dos Santos E, Lunardi AC. Efficacy of the addition of positive airway pressure to conventional chest physiotherapy in resolution of pleural effusion after drainage: protocol for a randomised controlled trial. J Physiother. 2015 Apr;61(2):93.