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Case Reports
. 2004 Dec;99(6):1803-1804.
doi: 10.1213/01.ANE.0000138034.73465.D3.

Hepatic hydrothorax in the absence of ascites: respiratory failure in a cirrhotic patient

Jordi Serrat  1 , Julio J Roza, Teresa Planella
Affiliations
Case Reports

Hepatic hydrothorax in the absence of ascites: respiratory failure in a cirrhotic patient

Jordi Serrat et al. Anesth Analg. 2004 Dec.

Abstract

The frequency of hepatic hydrothorax in cirrhotic patients is reported to be approximately 5%. The pleural effusion is predominantly right-sided (85% of cases) but may be bilateral. Although most often accompanied by significant ascites, it can occur in its absence. We report a case of a right-sided acute hepatic hydrothorax as a result of residual motor blockade during anesthesia recovery and without previous evidence of clinical ascites. This complication should be considered by the anesthesiologist in every cirrhotic patient, with or without clinical evidence of ascites.

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References

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