Presentation
Left chest pain with increased work of breathing.
Patient Data
Large left pleural effusion with associated left mid zone airspace opacity with air bronchograms. Right basal opacity and a small right pleural effusion.
Left lower lobe consolidation and atelectasis. Moderate left pleural effusion extending to the oblique fissure. Very small right pleural effusion with minor atelectasis.
STREPTOCOCCUS PNEUMONIAE ANTIGEN: Positive for pneumococcal antigen in urine. Result consistent with pneumococcal pneumonia.
Case Discussion
Pleural effusions that complicate pneumonia are called parapneumonic effusions, they are relatively commony affecting ~40% of patients hospitalized with pneumonia. Streptococcus pneumoniae is a very common cause of community acquired pneumonia (and this is often referred to as pneumococcus pneumonia).
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