Transudative chylothorax from cirrhosis complicated by lung entrapment

Abstract

A patient with long-standing cirrhosis due to hepatitis C and hepatic hydrothorax was evaluated for increasing symptoms and presence of a large right pleural effusion. Thoracentesis revealed evidence of a chylothorax with rapid reaccumulation of pleural fluid. Repeat thoracentesis with manometry identified presence of entrapped lung which complicated treatment options. This is the first case report of a hepatic chylothorax with features of entrapped lung. Keywords: Chylothorax, Hepatic hydrothorax, Entrapped lung, Cirrhosis