empyema

(em-pi-e'mah) [G empyema, suppiu-ation.] The presence of pus in any cavity; noting, when employed without qualification, an accumulation of pus in the pleural cavity, pyothorax. e, benig'num, latent e., chronic purulent sinusitis or pyothorax with mild or no constitutional symptoms, e. nece ita'tis, a form of e. of the chest in which the pus burrows to the outside, producing a Subcutaneous absce which finally ruptures, resulting.in spontaneous recovery without the nece ity of operation, e. of the chest, pyothorax, pus in the pleural cavity, e. of the pericor'dium, purulent pericarditis, pyopericardium. la'tent e., the presence of pus in a cavity, especially one of the acce ory sinuses, unattended with subjective symptoms, loc'ulated e., a condition in which numerous pleural adhesions have formed pockets in which pus collects, pul's ating e., a large, tense collection of pus in the pleural cavity through which the heart movements are transmitted to the chest wall.