Management of refractory hepatic hydrothorax: a report of two cases and review of the literature.

Hepatic hydrothorax is a transudative pleural effusion in patients with cirrhosis. A 56-year-old cirrhotic patient presented with dyspnea and desaturation; his chest images showed a right pleural effusion. Another 66-year-old woman with cirrhosis, developed during her hospitalization acute respiratory failure, and her chest X- ray showed left pleural effusion. Initially, both patients were prescribed a dietary sodium restriction and diuretics. Nevertheless, they didn't have a good response so a chest tube was placed, and an octreotide infusion partially reduced the volume of the pleural drainage allowing a pleurodesis. We report two cases of refractory hepatic hydrothorax with multiple treatments including octreotide and pleurodesis.

[Hepatic hydrothorax: presentation of 3 cases with different therapeutic approaches]. / Hidrotórax hepático: presentación de 3 casos con diferentes enfoques terapéuticos.

Hepatic hydrothorax is uncommon transudative pleural effusion greater than 500 ml in association with cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Ascites is also present in most of the patients and the pathophysiology include the passage of ascites fluid through small diaphragmatic defects. After diagnostic thoracentesis studies, the first line management is restricting sodium intake and diuretics combination including stepwise dose of spironolactone plus furosemide. Therapeutic thoracentesis is a simple and effective procedure to relief dyspnea. Hepatic hydrothorax is refractory in approximately 20-25% and treatments options include repeated thoracentesis, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS) placement, chemical pleurodesis with repair diaphragmatic defects using video-assisted thoracoscopy surgery (VATS), and insertion of an indwelling pleural catheter. Chest tube insertion carries significant morbidity and mortality with questionable benefit. Hepatic transplantation remains the best treatment option with long term survival. We present three cases of hepatic hydrothorax with different therapeutic approach including first line management, failed chest tube insertion and TIPS placement.

Hidrotórax hepático: presentación de 3 casos con diferentes enfoques terapéuticos / Hepatic hydrothorax: presentation of 3 cases with different therapeutic approaches

El hidrotórax hepático (HH) se define como un derrame pleural mayor de 500 ml en pacientes con cirrosis e hipertensión portal. Representa una complicación infrecuente por lo general asociada con ascitis y su origen se relaciona con el paso de líquido ascítico a través de pequeños defectos en el diafragma de predominio en el hemitórax derecho. Una vez establecido el diagnóstico por imágenes, la toracentesis diagnostica permite confirmar un trasudado. La terapia inicial está basada en la restricción de sodio y el uso combinado de diuréticos. El 20-25% de los pacientes desarrolla un HH refractario, el cual requiere intervenciones invasivas tales como la derivación percutánea portosistémica intrahepática (DPPI), la reparación de los defectos diafragmáticos por videotoracoscopia asistida asociada a pleurodésis química y el uso de un catéter pleural tunelizado. No se recomienda la inserción de un tubo de tórax por su elevada morbilidad y mortalidad. El tratamiento definitivo del HH es el trasplante hepático el cual alcanza una excelente sobrevida. Presentamos tres casos de hidrotórax hepático con diferentes enfoques terapéuticos que incluyeron el manejo conservador con dieta y diuréticos, la inserción fallida de un tubo de tórax con pleurodesis y una DPPI.

Hepatic hydrothorax is uncommon transudative pleural effusion greater than 500 ml in association with cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Ascites is also present in most of the patients and the pathophysiology include the passage of ascites fluid through small diaphragmatic defects. After diagnostic thoracentesis studies, the first line management is restricting sodium intake and diuretics combination including stepwise dose of spironolactone plus furosemide. Therapeutic thoracentesis is a simple and effective procedure to relief dyspnea. Hepatic hydrothorax is refractory in approximately 20-25% and treatments options include repeated thoracentesis, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS) placement, chemical pleurodesis with repair diaphragmatic defects using video-assisted thoracoscopy surgery (VATS), and insertion of an indwelling pleural catheter. Chest tube insertion carries significant morbidity and mortality with questionable benefit. Hepatic transplantation remains the best treatment option with long term survival. We present three cases of hepatic hydrothorax with different therapeutic approach including first line management, failed chest tube insertion and TIPS placement.

Tratamento de hidrotórax com shunt portossistêmico transjugular intra-hepático (TIPS) / Treatment of hydrothorax with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS)

O hidrotórax hepático caracteriza-se pelo derrame pleural secundário a ascite volumosa em pacientes com cirrose descompensada. É complicação rara em hepatopatas com hipertensão portal e de difícil reversão com o manejo clínico convencional para o tratamento da ascite. A introdução do shunt portossistêmico transjugular intra-hepático (TIPS) como opção terapêutica para esses pacientes mostrou-se procedimento bastante eficaz e com pequena morbidade associada. O objetivo deste trabalho é relatar o caso de uma paciente hepatopata crônica, com ascite volumosa e hidrotórax refratários ao tratamento clínico, a qual foi submetida à colocação de TIPS para tratamento. Pacientes com cirrose descompensada e ascite são candidatos a complicações como peritonite bacteriana espontânea, síndrome hepatorrenal e hidrotórax. O tratamento definitivo nestes casos é o transplante hepático – nem sempre viável e de rápido acesso. O TIPS é opção terapêutica temporária e de baixo risco para esses pacientes e que vem mostrando altas taxas de sucesso.

Liver hydrothorax is characterized by pleural effusion secondary to voluminous ascites in patients with uncompensated cirrhosis. It is a rare complication in hepatopaths with portal hypertension, one not easily reverted through the standard clinical management for the treatment of ascites. The introduction of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) as a therapeutic option for these patients proved to be quite efficacious and with little associated morbidity. The aim of this work is to report the case of a chronic female hepatopath with voluminous ascites and hydrothorax refractory to clinical treatment, who was submitted to TIPS. Patients with uncompensated cirrhosis and ascites are candidates to complications such as spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, hepatorenal syndrome, and hydrothorax. Definitive treatment in these cases is the hepatic transplant – not always viable and easily accessed. TIPS is the temporary, low-risk therapeutic option for such patients, which has shown high rates of success.

Hepatic hydrothorax: current concepts of pathophysiology and treatment options.

Pleural effusions develop in 6-10% of patients with end-stage liver disease. Although, commonly seen in conjunction with ascites, isolated hepatic hydrothorax can occur in a small number of patients with cirrhosis. Refractory hepatic hydrothorax particularly poses a challenging therapeutic dilemma as treatment options are limited at best in these patients. Current patho-physiologic understanding of this disorder, as a cause, points towards the presence of diaphragmatic defects responsible for the shift of fluid from the peritoneal to the pleural cavity. When sodium restriction and diuretic treatment fail, liver transplantation remains the most definitive therapy in these refractory cases. However, transjugular intrahepatic porto-systemic shunt (TIPS), or video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) repair of the diaphragmatic defects (with or without pleurodesis) are effective strategies in those who are not transplant candidates or those awaiting organ availability. Hepatic hydrothorax, especially when refractory to medical treatment, poses a challenging management dilemma. An early recognition and familiarity with available treatment modalities is crucial to effectively manage this exigent complication of cirrhosis.

An experience with covered transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt for refractory ascites from western India.

BACKGROUND: In refractory ascites/hydrothorax (RA), uncovered transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is shown to be superior to large-volume therapeutic paracentesis (LVP) for long-term control of ascites, but at a cost of increased risk of hepatic encephalopathy (HE). Use of covered TIPS has shown to improve shunt patency rate over uncovered TIPS. This retrospective analysis was performed on patients with RA to assess efficacy of TIPS, both covered and uncovered. METHODS: Over 10-year period, patients with RA, patients either required LVP at least 2 times in a month, or were intolerant to LVP, or were unwilling to undergo further LVP, were treated with TIPS (Group-A = 12 patients with uncovered TIPS {Wallstent = 10, Memotherm = 1, SMART = 1}, age = 56.1 +/- 4.5 years, male: female = 5:1; Group-B = 11 patients with e-PTFE-covered TIPS {Viatorr = 11}, age = 55.8 +/- 5.2 years, male: female = 8:3). They were followed-up with clinical and ultrasonography/ Doppler examination every monthly for 3 months and every 3 monthly thereafter (mean = 9.6 +/- 4.2 months). Clinical success (disappearance of ascites at 1-month), technical success (post-TIPS reduction of portosystemic pressure gradient {PPG} < 12 mmHg), appearance of encephalopathy, TIPS-dysfunction (> 50% reduction in flow-velocity, > 50% shunt stenosis or increase in PPG > 12 mmHg in presence of symptoms) and mortality were noted. Data were analyzed using chi-square test and t test. RESULTS: Baseline clinical and biochemical characteristics were similar in both groups. TIPS placement was possible in 11/12 group-A and 11/ 11 group-B patients. Fall in PPG after TIPS was similar in both groups. One patient in group-A was lost followup after the procedure. On comparison of group-A and group-B, clinical success (63.3% and 81.8%), technical success (90.9% and 100%), occurrence of HE (60% and 54.4%) and mortality at 1-year (70% and 63.3%) were not significantly different. TIPS-dysfunction requiring re-intervention was significantly more common in group-A (50%) than group-B (0%). CONCLUSIONS: Covered TIPS was superior to uncovered TIPS, because of less TIPS-dysfunction without increasing chances of HE; but failed to offer any survival advantage.

Secuestro pulmonar asociado a hidrotórax, un hallazgo infrecuente: caso clínico / Sequestration pulmonary associated to hydrotorax, an infrequent find

Pulmonary sequestration is a rare lung congenital malformation that can be diagnosed in the rutine prenatal ultrasound scan. It has a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations, that range from asymptomatic fetuses to hydrops fetalis. Although prenatal Ultrasound (US) has been the traditional diagnostic tool in these cases, fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may prove useful in differential diagnosis with cistic adenomatous malformation (CCAM) and also in the evaluation of the mass efect exerted by the malformation. We present a case of a 38 year old pregnant woman with a diagnosis of fetal hydrothorax in the 29th week of gestation. Ultrasound and MRI evaluation revealed pulmonary sequestration. Management involved prenatal thoracocentesis, planned delivery and neonatal support. This case highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary approach when encountering fetal lung anomalies including radiologists and pediatricians, a thorough assessment of the lesion using US, MRI and planned delivery in a tertiary center with adecuate neonatal support.

El secuestro pulmonar es una malformación congénita pulmonar infrecuente que puede ser diagnosticada mediante el ultrasonido durante una evaluación prenatal de rutina. Sus manifestaciones clínicas van desde fetos asintomáticos hasta el hidrops fetal. Si bien la ultrasonografía ha sido el método tradicional de evaluación de estas malformaciones, la utilización de resonancia puede demostrar utilidad, en especial en el diagnóstico diferencial con malformación adenomatosa quística, como también en evaluar el efecto de compresión ejercido por la lesión, y estimar el volumen pulmonar residual. Se presenta un caso de una paciente embarazada de 38 años con diagnóstico de secuestro pulmonar a las 29 semanas y que a las 32semanas evolucionó con hidrotórax que requirió toracocentesis, interrupción programada y soporte neonatal. Este caso resalta la importancia de usar un enfoque multidisciplinario al enfrentarse con lesiones pulmonares fetales que incluya neonatólogo, radiólogo, obstetra, y una evaluación detallada de la lesión utilizando ultrasonografía y resonancia magnética como también interrupción programada en un centro terciario con adecuado soporte neonatal.

[TIPS - Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt. A review]. / TIPS - anastomose portossistêmica intra-hepática transjugular. Revisão.

At the present time several therapeutic options are used for the treatment of bleeding esophageal varices in patients with portal hypertension. We will review the main medical publications on transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS), a procedure seldom used among us. TIPS works as a portocaval side-to-side shunt and decreases the risk of esophageal bleeding through lowering of the portal system pressure and a decrease of the portal hepatic pressure gradient. TIPS consists in the percutaneous insertion, through the internal jugular vein, of a metallic stent under fluoroscopic control in the hepatic parenchyma creating a true porta caval communication. There are several studies demonstrating the efficacy of TIPS, although only a few of them are randomized and control-matched to allow us to conclude that this procedure is safe, efficient and with a good cost benefit ratio. In this review, we search for the analysis of the TIPS utilization, its techniques, its major indications and complications. TIPS has been used in cases of gastroesophageal bleeding that has failed with pharmacologic or endoscopic treatment in patients Child-Pugh B and C. It can be used also as a bridge for liver transplantation. Others indications for TIPS are uncontrolled ascites, hepatic renal syndrome, and hepatic hydrothorax. The main early complications of TIPS using are related to the insertion site and hepatic encephalopathy and the stent occlusion is the chief late complication.

TIPS--anastomose portossistêmica intra-hepática transjugular. Revisao / TIPS - Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt. A review

At the present time several therapeutic options are used for the treatment of bleeding esophageal varices in patients with portal hypertension. We will review the main medical publications on transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS), a procedure seldom used among us. TIPS works as a portocaval side-to-side shunt and decreases the risk of esophageal bleeding through lowering of the portal system pressure and a decrease of the portal hepatic pressure gradient. TIPS consists in the percutaneous insertion, through the internal jugular vein, of a metallic stent under fluoroscopic control in the hepatic parenchyma creating a true porta caval communication. There are several studies demonstrating the efficacy of TIPS, although only a few of them are randomized and control-matched to allow us to conclude that this procedure is safe, efficient and with a good cost benefit ratio. In this review, we search for the analysis of the TIPS utilization, its techniques, its major indications and complications. TIPS has been used in cases of gastroesophageal bleeding that has failed with pharmacologic or endoscopic treatment in patients Child-Pugh B and C. It can be used also as a bridge for liver transplantation. Others indications for TIPS are uncontrolled ascites, hepatic renal syndrome, and hepatic hydrothorax. The main early complications of TIPS using are related to the insertion site and hepatic encephalopathy and the stent occlusion is the chief late complication.

Chemical pleurodesis for hepatic hydrothorax.

BACKGROUND: Ascites can occur after hepatic diseases causing dyspnea, coughing and pain. When associated with pleural effusion it can also increase respiratory distress. In a bibliographic survey hydrothorax has been observed in up to 20% of the patients and the kind of treatment is still being discussed. OBJECTIVE: This case report shows the occurrence of a large volume of ascites and pleural effusion in a cirrhotic patient and his treatment. METHODS: Report the case of a patient with hepatic cirrhosis due to chronic alcoholism and massive pleural effusion and ascites. He was submitted to several pleural paracenteses without success. Scintigraphy showed the presence of ascites and confirmed a possible pleuroperitoneal communication. The thoracic surgery group was called and after evaluation it was decided to submit the patient to a pulmonary decortication and chemical pleurodesis. RESULTS: These procedures were carried out with success. The pleural effusion was solved and the treatment of ascites was decided upon because the patient did not accept any surgical procedure. CONCLUSION: This treatment could be applied to patients with hydrothorax who could not be submitted to a liver transplantation.

Thoracoscopy and talc poudrage in the management of hepatic hydrothorax.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine indications, limitations, morbidity and mortality of surgical thoracoscopy for management of hepatic hydrothorax, a rare, but often recurrent, complication in cirrhotic patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From May 1985 through May 1999, 10 men and 8 women, with a mean age of 57.6 years (range, 26 to 76 years), underwent 21 therapeutic thoracoscopies to achieve pleurodesis by application of talc. RESULTS: The procedure was effective in 10 of 21 procedures. There were four recurrences (19. 1%) that were retreated, with only one being successful. In this specific group, we detected high morbidity (57.1%) and mortality (38.9%) during the follow-up period of 3 months. Diaphragmatic defects were localized and closed five times (23.8%). Hospital stay was approximately 15 days (range, 5 to 41 days). CONCLUSION: The procedure appears to be indicated for these fragile patients, especially when medical therapy fails. Immediate efficacy was 47.6%, increasing to 60% with videothoracoscopy and suture of the diaphragmatic defect. However, morbidity and mortality were high.

Hidrotórax hepático na ausência de ascite: relato de caso / Hepatic hydrothorax in absence of ascites: report of case

Hidrotórax hepático ocorre em cerca de 5 por cento a 7 por cento dos cirróticos com ascite, porém na ausência de ascite é um evento raro. Relatamos caso de paciente portador de hepatopatia crônica por álcool e vírus B que evoluiu com volumoso derrame pleural na ausência de ascite clinicamente detectável e revisamos a fisopatologia, diagóstico e tratamento desta condiçäo clínica.

Hidrotórax como complicaçäo de cirrose hepática: diagnóstico pelo método cintilográfico / Hydrothorax as complication of hepatic cirrhosis: diagnosis by scintigraphic method

Os autores apresentam um caso de hidrotórax secundário a insuficiência hepatocelualr e ascite. O diagnóstico foi estabelecido através da injeçäo intraperitoneal de Tc-enxofre coloidal, evidenciando-se passagem do radiofármaco para a cavidade pleural. Após administraçäo intrapleural do radiotraçador, näo se observou sua passgem para a cavidade peritoneal. Portanto, o método radioisotópico demonstrou de maneira simples, rápida e näo invasiva a natureza do derrame pleural