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Updated: Jan 3, 2026

A Pleural Effusion Model in Rats by Intratracheal Instillation of Polyacrylate/Nanosilica
Published on: April 12, 2019
[A 30-year-old man with a puddle of pleural effusion]
Patrick F Greve1,2, Gijs J M Limonard1
1Diakonessenhuis, afd. Longziekten, Utrecht.
Background:
The pleural effusion found in urinothorax is traditionally classified as transudate. In some cases, however, the Light-criteria can show an exudate.
Case Description:
We describe the case of a 30-year-old man who attended the emergency department with shortness of breath and severe, diffuse, chest pain; this occurred two days after he had undergone a left-sided percutaneous nephrolithotomy by a urologist. A chest X-ray showed pleural effusion in the left basal region. Based on the Light-criteria, this effusion was an exudate. We made the diagnosis of urinothorax following percutaneous nephrolithotomy.
Conclusion:
When urinothorax is suspected, biochemical analysis can reveal either a transudate or an exudate. The pleural fluid/serum creatinine ratio can be a valuable addition to the Light-criteria in this setting. The Light-criteria should always be interpreted in a clinical context.
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