title: Hepatic hydrothorax: diagnosis and management. Case report and review of the literature.
abstract: Current practice standards indicate the need for tube thoracostomy in the management of clinically significant recurrent pleural effusions. The following case presentation and review of the literature illustrate a contraindication to chest tube insertion with pleural effusions associated with portal hypertension (hepatic hydrothorax) and suggest alternative therapies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore, USA.
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Ellis
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Laurin
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006876:Hydrothorax / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D019152:Paracentesis; D011170:Portasystemic Shunt, Surgical