Hepatic Hydrothorax: The Shower Within : Journal of Bronchology & Interventional Pulmonology (original) (raw)

Brief Reports

The Shower Within

Kumar, Sachin MD, DM (Pulmonary & Critical Care), FCCP*; Kumar, Ramesh MD, DM†

Departments of *Pulmonary Medicine

†Hepatology, Institute of Liver & Biliary Sciences, New Delhi, India

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Notation of prior abstract publication/presentation: Presented at ISGCON 2012 on November 28, 2012 in the CME session: Lung in Cirrhosis.

Disclosure: There is no conflict of interest or other disclosures.

Reprints: Sachin Kumar, MD, DM (Pulmonary & Critical Care), FCCP, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Institute of Liver & Biliary Sciences, C-15, Delhi Government Residential Complex, D-2 pocket, Vasant Kunj, 110070, New Delhi, India (e-mail: [email protected]).

Received March 29, 2013

Accepted November 12, 2013

Journal of Bronchology & Interventional Pulmonology 21(1):p 88-89, January 2014. | DOI: 10.1097/LBR.0000000000000030

Abstract

Hepatic hydrothorax (HH) is an infrequent but a well-known complication of portal hypertension. Transdiaphragmatic passage of ascitic fluid from peritoneal to the pleural cavity through numerous diaphragmatic defects has been shown to be the predominant mechanism in the formation of HH. Medical management of this condition often fails, and there are no large randomized-controlled trials establishing the best treatment strategies. HH thus represents a formidable entity in the management of end-stage liver disease, and the only definitive treatment is liver transplantation. However, in selected group of patients, medical thoracoscopy not only helps in establishing the diagnosis but can also be used as an effective management strategy, especially in patients awaiting liver transplantation.