Remission of hepatic hydrothorax after OK-432 pleurodesis

Abstract

Hepatic hydrothorax in the absence of ascites is a rare complication of liver cirrhosis. A 71-year-old man with liver cirrhosis due to alcohol abuse was referred to our department because of massive pleural effusion on the right side. The properties of pleural effusion and clinical course led to a diagnosis of hepatic hydrothorax. Nonsurgical OK-432 pleurodesis resulted in a marked decrease of pleural effusion. After 2 months of follow-up, effusion was well-controlled. Patients with hepatic hydrothoraces have few options. OK-432 pleurodesis is relatively safe and may provide an effective alternative to peritoneovenous shunt, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt or surgical pleurodesis. It may also be a bridge toward liver transplantation in patients with few other options. Herein, we report a case of refractory hepatic hydrothorax successfully treated by nonsurgical OK-432 pleurodesis. © 2011 The Editorial Committee of Annals of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery.