Chest Imaging

Empyema necessitatis

the spontaneous extension of pus through the parietal pleura and chest wall from an empyema with the formation of a subcutaneous abscess. In most circumstances this occurs secondary to a tuberculous empyema. There may be an associated bronchopleural fistula. CT is used to demonstrate the empyema and its extension through the chest wall and associated bronchopleural fistula.

CF - HM