pyothorax, presence of pus in the pleural cavity, between the membrane lining the thoracic cage and the membrane covering the lung. The most common cause is lung inflammation (pneumonia) resulting in the spread of infection from the lung to the bordering pleural membrane, but pyothorax may also result from a lung abcess or some forms of tuberculosis. When the bronchial tree is involved in the infection, air may get into the pleural cavity. The presence of both air and pus inside the pleural cavity is known as pneumothorax. The treatment of pyothorax requires removal of the pus and the use of antibacterial drugs aimed selectively at the causative organism.