Hepatic hydrothorax

Hepatic hydrothorax (HH) refers to the presence of a pleural effusion that develops in the context of underlying liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension. It carries a high risk of morbidity and mortality, with a median survival of 8-12 months. Diagnosis is usually confirmed by pleural aspiration, demonstrating typical features of a transudative effusion in the absence of co-existent cardio-pulmonary or renal pathology. The clinical presentation is quite variable, with some patients remaining relatively asymptomatic in the presence of small or incidental effusions, while others present with frank respiratory failure requiring pleural intervention. The development of spontaneous bacterial empyema (SBEM) is a significant and not infrequent complication, requiring prompt recognition and treatment. While the mainstay of management is focused on optimising fluid balance through dietary salt restriction and diuretic therapy, liver transplantation remains the definitive treatment option. As such, it is crucial to adopt a multi-disciplinary approach-involving pulmonologists, hepatologists, dieticians, and palliative care physicians-in order to optimise care for this often complex group of patients. This review will discuss the basic pathophysiology of HH, its clinical presentation and diagnosis, as well as the approach to management of HH in clinical practice, focussing on both interventional and non-interventional treatment modalities.