Scintigraphic diagnosis of peritoneo-pleural communication in the absence of ascites

Pleural effusion in the presence of cirrhosis and ascites is well recognized. Peritoneal fluid is thought to enter the pleural cavity either because of overloaded lymphatics or a structural defect between the peritoneal and chest cavities. Pleural effusion rarely occurs in the absence of demonstrable ascites. This report describes the scintigraphic diagnosis of peritoneo-pleural communication in a patient with cryptogenic cirrhosis and pleural effusion without ascites.