[Pleural effusion following hepatic radiofrequency].
BACKGROUND
Surgery is the treatment of choice for primary or secondary hepatic tumours. If surgery is contra-indicated radiofrequency offers an alternative treatment capable of destroying tumours small in size and/or number. It is undertaken percutaneously, during laparotomy or endoscopically. Respiratory physicians should be familiar with certain complications.


METHODS
We report two cases of pleurisy following hepatic radiofrequency. The effusions were diagnosed 15 days and one month after radiofrequency treatment for liver metastases from colonic carcinoma. The effusions were exudative and predominantly lymphocytic. The first effusion required thoracoscopy to establish the diagnosis; the second dried up following 5 pleural aspirations.


CONCLUSIONS
Post radiofrequency pleurisy may develop late and present problems in diagnosis and treatment.
Roy Saint-Georges
F
F
Service de Pneumologie, Hôpital Saint-Philibert, Lomme, France. saint-georges.francoise@ghicl.net
Mulliez
P
P
Darras
A
A
D000368:Aged; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D013906:Thoracoscopy