Hepatic hydrothorax: report of two cases

This paper describes two patients with liver cirrhosis presenting with right sided hydrothorax. The diagnosis of hepatic hydrothorax was confirmed by a radionuclide study using an intraperitoneal injection of radioactive 99mTc-tin-colloid, demonstrating the one-way transdiaphragmatic flow of fluid from the peritoneal to pleural cavities. Pleural taps, salt restriction and diuretics resulted in volume depletion and impaired renal function in the first patient. Medical therapy and a single thoracocentesis were successful in the other patient.