Lung function in children following empyema
G. J. Redding, L. Walund, D. Walund, J. W. Jones, D. C. Stamey and R. L. Gibson
Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle 98195.
Spirometry was performed and response to exercise was measured in 15
children following recovery from empyema to evaluate the impact of pleural
infection on subsequent lung function. Seven children underwent chest tube
drainage; eight did not. The two groups were similar in age (mean +/- SD, 6
+/- 5 years), sex distribution, bacterial pathogen-producing empyema, and
age at follow-up evaluation (12 +/- 5 years). Only one child reported
recurrent respiratory symptoms. No child had restrictive spirometric
changes (total lung capacity, less than 80%; vital capacity, less than 80%
predicted) but seven of 15 had a reduced forced expiratory volume in 1
second (less than 80% predicted) or forced expiratory flow during the
middle half of the vital capacity (less than 75% predicted), suggesting
mild airway obstruction. No child demonstrated reduced exercise tolerance
due to restrictive ventilatory limitations. Mild obstructive abnormalities
in lung function were identified with equal frequency in children treated
with and without chest tube drainage.
