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.

• Authors: Taichiro Goto, Yoshitaka Oyamada, Reo Hamaguchi, Kumi Shimizu, Masako Kubota, Kumi Akanabe, Ryoichi Kato
• Journal: Annals of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery : official journal of the Association of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons of Asia (Ann Thorac Cardiovasc Surg) Vol. 17 Issue 2 Pg. 208-11 ( 2011) ISSN: 2186-1005 [Electronic] Japan
• PMID: 21597425 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Picibanil

Topics

• Aged
• Drainage
• Humans
• Hydrothorax (diagnostic imaging, etiology, therapy)
• Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic (complications)
• Male
• Picibanil (administration & dosage)
• Pleural Effusion (diagnostic imaging, etiology, therapy)
• Pleurodesis (methods)
• Radiography
• Treatment Outcome