Last update:
   19-Nov-2012
 

Arch Hellen Med, 29(5), September-October 2012, 627-631

CASE REPORT

Ηepatic hydrothorax in a ΗCV-positive patient with liver cirrhosis
Case report and literature review

T. Androutsakos,1 E. Felesaki,2 A. Velidaki,3 P. Tomos,4 G. Hatzis1
1Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Laiko" General Hospital, Athens
2Department of Radiology, "Laiko" General Hospital, Athens
3Department of Nuclear Medicine, "Laiko" General Hospital, Athens
41st Department of Thoracic Surgery, University of Athens, School of Medicine,"Laiko" General Hospital, Athens, Greece

Hepatic hydrothorax (HH) is an uncommon complication of portal hypertension. The disorder is defined as the presence of transudative pleural effusion in a patient with liver cirrhosis and no primary pulmonary or cardiac disease. The medical management of HH is often challenging, since these patients usually have advanced liver disease. The case is reported of an of HH in a 68-yearold female patient with hepatitis C virus (HCV) associated cirrhosis, without ascites, which exemplifies the many therapeutic challenges and dilemmas.

Key words: Cirrhosis, HCV, Hydrothorax, Portal hypertension.

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