Successful treatment of hepatic hydrothorax: A case report

Abstract

Rationale: Acute complications of cirrhosis can be life- threatening. One of the less common acute complications is hepatic hydrothorax whose medical management is rarely successful and is still controversial. Patient concerns: A 51-year-old patient presenting to the emergency room for a massive pleural effusion. Diagnosis: A hepatic hydrothorax with a placed chest tube whose removal was not possible. Interventions: Increased doses of diuretics with a strict salt-free diet. Outcomes: An improvement of the clinical state, with no recurrent pleural effusion up to one month. Lessons: Medical management of hepatic hydrothorax is possible.

Keywords

• hepatic hydrothorax; management; chest tube; medical treatment