Is empyema curable?

With right treatment: This is a collection of pus between the lung and the inner lining of the chest wall. Usually caused by an infection. Treatment is to cure the infection and drain the pus though antibiotics and placement of a chest tube. Sometimes a surgeon might need to peel away the linings of the lung if the lung can't expand (stuck). With proper treatment and time, patient should recover fully.

Yes: The mainstay of treatment is early recognition, drainage, complete lung re-expansion, and targeted antibiotics. When indicated, modern thoracic surgical treatment of empyema uses minimally invasive techniques. Thoracotomy is often unnecessary (and potentially more dangerous) approach.