Hepatic hydrothorax: a retrospective case study.
OBJECTIVE
To present the pathophysiology, differential diagnoses, assessment techniques, and treatment options for hepatic hydrothorax.


METHODS
A case study is presented with supporting material from current medical literature.


CONCLUSIONS
Hepatic hydrothorax is a pleural effusion caused by the flow of ascitic fluid into the pleural space through an actual defect in the diaphragm. Successful outcomes depend on early detection and timely referral of often-subtle lung involvement.


CONCLUSIONS
Although incidence is reported to be as high as 12% in cirrhotic patients, standard medical references attach little importance to pulmonary risks in this population. Hepatic hydrothorax should always be considered in the cirrhotic patient with a pleural effusion.
Jones
E G
EG
Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC, USA. Elizabeth.Jones2@med.va.gov
D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D006876:Hydrothorax / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications*; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies