Bilious pleural effusion following liver biopsy

Pleural effusions in patients with chronic liver disease are common and usually are of little consequence. Bilious pleural effusion can occur following percutaneous biopsy or cholangiography procedures if the pleura is traversed. This report emphasizes the role of biliary tract obstruction in the development of a bilious effusion and the importance of biliary tract decompression in treatment. We discuss the laboratory evidence supporting the diagnosis of bilious effusion and review the reported experience with this complication.