Persistent hiccups as a rare presenting symptom of empyema: a case report

Persistent hiccups as a rare presenting symptom of empyema: a case report

Hiccups, Empyema, Emergency department, Case report

Background Empyema is uncommon owing to antibiotic use but still affects patient health if not treated. Hiccups as
the initial symptom of empyema are rare; however, empyema should be considered if a patient has persistent hiccups
with unexplained fever.
Case presentation We present a case of persistent hiccups, left upper quadrant abdominal pain, and fever on day
1, and total left lung white-out and empyema on day 3. The hiccups resolved gradually after antibiotic treatment and
surgical decortication.
Conclusions Clinicians should consider the possibility of empyema and conduct a chest computed tomography
study if unexplained fever and persistent hiccups coexist.
Keywords Hiccups, Empyema, Emergency department, Case report

An-Fu Lee1
, Hong-Wei Lee2

and Zui-Shen Yen2*

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12245-024-00603-7

2024

Peri Irawan

pdf

english

text