Hemothorax following uncomplicated sclerotherapy for esophageal varices

Although pleural effusion as a complication of esophageal manipulation is well described in the literature, the fluid is usually nonhemorrhagic. We describe the first patient who had uncomplicated sclerotherapy with ethanolamine for esophageal varices, and on two occasions this patient developed left-sided bloody pleural effusion within 12-72 h after sclerotherapy. The effusion resolved spontaneously within 4 weeks. This case illustrates that hemothorax should be included in the pulmonary complications of sclerotherapy for esophageal varices.