Introduction:

The transdiaphragmatic extension of the pyogenic liver abscess constitutes a rare case of pleural empyema. It is a rapidly progressive disease with high mortality rates close to 100% if it is not treated in time.

Objective:

To describe the case of a patient with right pleural empyema secondary to a ruptured pyogenic abscess of the left hepatic lobe.

Clinical case:

A 70-year-old female patient who came to emergency with fever, abdominal pain and general syndrome. The computed tomography scan showed a liver abscess in the left lobe with almost total liquefaction, and later a right thoracic empyema was a complication. The patient was treated with chest tube drainage. Despite timely antibiotic and surgical treatments, the patient died of septic shock.

Conclusions:

A rare case of empyema secondary to liver abscess of the left lobe is reported. The delay of the patient in going to health institutions led to the death of the patient despite antibiotic and surgical treatment.

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