A case of empyema necessitatis caused by Mycobacterium abscessus

Non-tuberculosis mycobacteria (NTM) have emerged as an important pathogen in lung infection. NTM infection is rarely accompanied by pleural involvement, and empyema necessitatis caused by NTM is very uncommon. We report a very rare case of Mycobacterium abscessus pulmonary disease with empyema accompanied by empyema necessitatis. The patient was successfully treated by percutaneous tube drainage of the empyema and empyema necessitatis with aggressive antibiotics treatment and surgical resection.