how to check empty or !empty field

<?php $j=0; 
      while ($j<2){ if(empty($recent['id'][$k])) break;?>
      <div class="col-md-5 col-xs-7" style="padding:0px;">
       <div class="img-sm">
         <?php if(!empty($recent['image'][$k])) { ?>
          <img class="img-responsive" src="<?php echo base_url().url_thumb($recent['image'][$k],'konsultasi/') ?>" />
         <?php } else { ?>
           <img class="img-responsive" src="<?php base_url().'assets/images/logo.png' ?>" />
         <?php } ?>
       </div>

    </div>
<?php $j++; $k++; } ?>

The Problem is, if empty image its not working to me.