Hydrothorax Associated with Peritoneal Dialysis / 대한법의학회지

ABSTRACT

Hydrothorax is an uncommon but a well-recognized complication of peritoneal dialysis, and is estimated at 1.6-10%. It is not a life-threatening condition, but massive hydrothorax (so called 'tension hydrothorax') has been documented rarely. We report an autopsy case showing the right-sided hydrothorax associated with peritoneal dialysis. A 27-year-old man who had suffered chronic renal failure and peritoneal dialysis, was found dead in his room. At autopsy, there were about 3 liters of clear transudate in the right pleural cavity and the right lung was collapsed. The biochemical study of the pleural fluid showed 266 mg/dL of glucose.