A 48 year old male is admitted to the hospital after experiencing a fever and malaise for several days. He states that he has some shortness of breath and chest pain when he coughs. Imaging of the chest reveals a large loculated effusion and empyema in the right lower lung. The decision is made to place a chest tube (thoracostomy) and drain the fluid. The pleural fluid returns with a pH of 7.18, a glucose of 55 mg/dL, and a lactate of 1,150 units/L. Initial drainage was 200 mL in the first 24 hours, contained pus, and had a putrid odor. Cultures are pending. In addition to drainage and appropriate antibiotic therapy, what else can be done to manage this patient?
A new guideline from the American College of Physicians for the management of acute and recurrent gout makes a few recommendations based on updated data through March 20161. Some recommendations and strengths differ from the 2012 recommendations from the American College of Rheumatology. Here are the main recommendations from the updated guideline:
