Development of pleural effusion after sclerotherapy with absolute alcohol

Pleural effusion developed in 6 of 31 patients undergoing esophageal variceal sclerotherapy using absolute alcohol. The effusions were small, appeared within 48 hours of sclerotherapy, and disappeared without treatment within 7 days in all six patients. Prevalence of chest pain was significantly greater when pleural effusions developed than when pleural effusions did not develop (83% of patients versus 19%, respectively, p < 0.05). The persistence of chest pain was also significantly greater when pleural effusions developed than when they did not develop (80% of patients versus 19%, respectively, p < 0.05). We conclude that pleural effusion occurs frequently after esophageal variceal sclerotherapy with alcohol and is commonly associated with chest pain.