[Pulmonary empyema 48 years after Lucite-ball Plomb implantation for tuberculosis].

A 68-year-old woman was diagnosed as having empyema on the left side. She had a history of pulmonary tuberculosis and tuberculous pleurisy in 1949. She was treated with artificial pneumothorax and implantation of 7 Lucite-ball plombs in the left upper thorax. A chest radiograph taken 14 years after initial operation, revealed an increase in density inside some of the Lucite-ball plombs. She was again admitted after experiencing fever and dyspnea 48 years after initial operation. The chest radiograph then showed a large mass on the left side, which compressed the mediastinum to the right. Inside the mass, Lucite-ball plombs were detected. The fever and inflammatory findings were improved with antibiotic therapy, but the dyspnea was persistent. The Lucite-ball Plombs and coagulating tissue were removed successfully. The patient's symptoms and respiratory function improved after the second operation.