Scintigraphic evaluation of hepatic hydrothorax

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Hepatic hydrothorax is defined as the accumulation of significant pleural effusion (usually 500 ml) in a cirrhotic patient without primary pulmonary or cardiac disease. Hepatic hydrothorax affects 4%-10% of patients with cirrhosis. The pleural effusion is usually right sided, but may be bilateral or left sided. Direct migration of ascitic fluid via a diaphragmatic defect or lymphatic channels can cause leakage of fluid into the pleural space. Imaging of the chest and diagnostic thoracentesis should be performed in patients with cirrhosis and pleural effusion. Demonstration of communication between the peritoneal and pleural space can be made by intraperitoneal injection of air, dyes and radionuclides. Noninvasive peritoneal scintigraphy should be preferred for its simplicity and high diagnostic sensitivity. Here, we present a case with cirrhosis and pleural effusion which had been evaluated by peritoneal scintigraphy for the evaluation of peritoneopleural communication.

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Hydrothorax , radionuclide imaging , pleural effusion

Ege Journal Of Medicine

177

Ege Journal Of Medicine