SAQ 337 – Paediatrics – pneumonia complicated by empyema

Marked out of 11.00

A 6-year-old Indigenous girl is transferred from a rural facility with right lower-lobe pneumonia that has not improved after four days of IV benzylpenicillin. Repeat CXR shows a developing parapneumonic effusion. Bedside lung ultrasound from the right lower zone is shown below.

Observation Value
Temperature 39.2 C
Heart rate 152/min
Central capillary refill 2.5 seconds
Respiratory rate 42/min
Oxygen saturation 93% on 3 L/min nasal prongs
Lung ultrasound showing a complex loculated pleural effusion with adjacent consolidation.
Lung ultrasound

List biochemical or microbiological pleural-fluid features that suggest empyema.

(Marked out of 3.0)


/ 3

Describe two (2) important ultrasound features.

(Marked out of 2.0)


/ 2

State the most likely diagnosis.

(Marked out of 1.0)


/ 1

Outline medical and surgical management.

(Marked out of 5.0)


/ 5

Total Score: 0 / 11

Percentage: 0%

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