#28, S2 The Pleural Infection Playbook

In this second special joint episode of Thinking Thoracic and the American Association for Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology (AABIP), Dr. Erin Gillaspie is joined by interventional pulmonologist Dr. Sameer Avasarala of Case Western Reserve University and infectious disease specialist Dr. Renuga Vivekanandan of Creighton University to discuss the multidisciplinary management of pleural space infections.

The conversation emphasizes early recognition, prompt source control, and seamless multidisciplinary collaboration.

Following the clinical course, the panel discusses diagnosis, fluid sampling, targeted antimicrobials, drainage, intrapleural fibrinolytics, and risk stratification. They also explore when to pivot to surgical intervention, including VATS decortication, as well as the management of complex cases such as bronchopleural fistulas.