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[Massive pleural effusion in liver cirrhosis without ascites]
C M Miguel1, P Catuogno, D Tiberio
1Servicio de Clínica Médica y de Gastroenterología del Hospital Militar Central de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Acta Gastroenterologica Latinoamericana
|January 1, 1995
Summary
This study highlights massive pleural effusion in cirrhosis patients without apparent ascites. Pneumoperitoneum is proposed as a low-cost diagnostic tool for this rare condition.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Pulmonology
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Cirrhosis commonly presents with ascites, but massive pleural effusion can occur without overt signs of abdominal fluid.
- Differentiating hepatic hydrothorax from other causes of pleural effusion is crucial for appropriate management.
Observation:
- Two patients with cirrhosis developed massive pleural effusion.
- Ascites was clinically absent and not detected by CT in one patient, complicating diagnosis.
- Other potential causes of pleural effusion were systematically excluded.
Findings:
- The pathophysiological mechanisms linking cirrhosis to pleural effusion, even without ascites, were explored.
- Pneumoperitoneum was identified as a simple, low-cost diagnostic procedure for this condition.
Implications:
- This case series suggests pneumoperitoneum as a valuable diagnostic adjunct in suspected hepatic hydrothorax.
- Early and accurate diagnosis can lead to timely and effective therapeutic interventions for patients with cirrhosis and pleural effusion.