TY - JOUR T1 - Intrapleural streptokinase for empyema? JF - Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin JO - Drug Ther Bull SP - 95 LP - 95 DO - 10.1136/dtb.1997.351295 VL - 35 IS - 12 A2 - , Y1 - 1997/12/01 UR - http://dtb.bmj.com/content/35/12/95.abstract N2 - Relevant BNF section: 2.10.2Pus collection within the pleural cavity (empyema) is a potentially fatal complication of pneumonia. Typically, treatment includes drainage of the infected fluid. Several small uncontrolled studies have suggested that drainage via a catheter can be improved by the intrapleural instillation of low-dose streptokinase. The first randomised controlled trial of this use of streptokinase has been published recently.1 We discuss the implications of this study's findings. ER -