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

An-Fu Lee; Hong-Wei Lee; Zui-Shen Yen

doi:10.1186/s12245-024-00603-7

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

Int J Emerg Med. 2024 Feb 28;17(1):29. doi: 10.1186/s12245-024-00603-7.

Authors

An-Fu Lee¹, Hong-Wei Lee², Zui-Shen Yen³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Emergency Medicine, Yun-Lin Branch, National Taiwan University Hospital, Douliu City, Taiwan.
² Department of Emergency Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, No. 7, Chung-Shan S. Road, Taipei, Taiwan.
³ Department of Emergency Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, No. 7, Chung-Shan S. Road, Taipei, Taiwan. ericyen.ntuh@gmail.com.

Abstract

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: Case report; Emergency department; Empyema; Hiccups.