JOURNAL ARTICLE
REVIEW
Add like
Add dislike
Add to saved papers

Hepatic hydrothorax.

Hepatic hydrothorax is defined as a transudative pleural effusion, usually greater than 500 mL, in patients with portal hypertension without any other underlying primary cardiopulmonary cause. It develops most likely because of diaphragmatic defects that allow for passage of fluid from the peritoneal space to the pleural space. Because of the mechanical constraints of the thoracic cavity, this complication of portal hypertension can be challenging to treat because patients will become symptomatic when as little as 500 mL of fluid is present in the pleural space. Treatments include salt restriction, diuretics, thoracentesis, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, video-assisted thoracoscopy, and pleurodesis. It is important to note that a chest tube is not a potential treatment option; a hepatic hydrothorax should not be treated with a chest tube unless there is frank pus in the pleural fluid or a pneumothorax is present. The ultimate treatment is a liver transplant; the development of a hepatic hydrothorax thus warrants a referral to a liver transplant center.

Full text links

We have located links that may give you full text access.
Can't access the paper?
Try logging in through your university/institutional subscription. For a smoother one-click institutional access experience, please use our mobile app.

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

Mobile app image

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.

Your Privacy Choices Toggle icon

You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app