Computed tomography of tuberculous empyema

(A) Computed tomography (CT) of the thorax in the transverse plane shows a right pleural mass with shell-like calcification. The right lung is smaller than the left lung due to restriction by the pleural mass. The right extrapleural fat is thickened as well due to inward pull by the restricted right lung. Note the right lateral ribs are remodeled, thicker and more sclerotic, compared with the normal left-sided ribs. This finding is characteristic of a chronic empyema.
(B) CT thorax with coronal plane rendering in the same patient shows the right pleural mass with shell-like calcification, thick extrapleural fat, small right lung and blunted right lateral costophrenic sulcus. The right lateral ribs are thicker and more sclerotic than the contralateral left normal ribs.