Biliothorax in a patient with unresectable cholangiocarcinoma

Abstract

Abstract Biliothorax is a rare but serious condition, as the presence of bile is damaging and can lead to empyema. Here, we report a case of a 51‐year‐old man recently diagnosed with unresectable cholangiocarcinoma, admitted to the hospital for malignant obstructive jaundice. After interventional management of biliary obstruction, the patient developed a significant right pleural effusion compatible with biliothorax, successfully managed with pleural drainage and antibiotic therapy. Resolution was possible with a conservative approach: biliary decompression, chest tube drainage and antibiotics.

Keywords

• biliary pleural effusion
• Biliothorax
• cholangiocarcinoma
• percutaneous biliary drainage