Hepatic hydrothorax in a child and its management.

Hepatic hydrothorax is a rare complication of portal hypertension. The optimal treatment for this condition is liver transplantation. Liver transplantation is significantly more manageable in children who weigh more than 8 kg. Here, an implantable pleural access device was used in a 5-month-old infant for painless iterative punctures to relieve respiratory symptoms, while waiting for liver transplantation and the patient's growth. The patient underwent successful transplantation 3 months later with a more optimal weight.

Low Predictability of Readmissions and Death Using Machine Learning in Cirrhosis.

INTRODUCTION: Readmission and death in cirrhosis are common, expensive, and difficult to predict. Our aim was to evaluate the abilities of multiple artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to predict clinical outcomes based on variables collected at admission, during hospitalization, and at discharge. METHODS: We used the multicenter North American Consortium for the Study of End-Stage Liver Disease (NACSELD) cohort of cirrhotic inpatients who are followed up through 90-days postdischarge for readmission and death. We used statistical methods to select variables that are significant for readmission and death and trained 3 AI models, including logistic regression (LR), kernel support vector machine (SVM), and random forest classifiers (RFC), to predict readmission and death. We used the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) from 10-fold crossvalidation for evaluation to compare sexes. Data were compared with model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) at discharge. RESULTS: We included 2,170 patients (57 ± 11 years, MELD 18 ± 7, 61% men, 79% White, and 8% Hispanic). The 30-day and 90-day readmission rates were 28% and 47%, respectively, and 13% died at 90 days. Prediction for 30-day readmission resulted in 0.60 AUC for all patients with RFC, 0.57 AUC with LR for women-only subpopulation, and 0.61 AUC with LR for men-only subpopulation. For 90-day readmission, the highest AUC was achieved with kernel SVM and RFC (AUC = 0.62). We observed higher predictive value when training models with only women (AUC = 0.68 LR) vs men (AUC = 0.62 kernel SVM). Prediction for death resulted in 0.67 AUC for all patients, 0.72 for women-only subpopulation, and 0.69 for men-only subpopulation, all with LR. MELD-Na model AUC was similar to those from the AI models. DISCUSSION: Despite using multiple AI techniques, it is difficult to predict 30- and 90-day readmissions and death in cirrhosis. AI model accuracies were equivalent to models generated using only MELD-Na scores. Additional biomarkers are needed to improve our predictive capability (See also the visual abstract at http://links.lww.com/AJG/B710).

A left-sided cerebrospinal fluid hydrothorax and a right ventricular-peritoneal shunt: a unique clinical case study.

We describe the case of a 84-year-old woman with a right ventricular-peritoneal shunt and a left-sided pleural effusion, the analysis of which was positive for cerebrospinal fluid. We consider the potential causative mechanisms. Our patient was managed conservatively due to her frailty, the effusion being asymptomatic and her preference not to pursue further invasive diagnostic testing. This case report is unique due to the contralateral nature of the effusion to the shunt, which has not been described before in the literature.

PAI-1 Level Differences in Malignant Plural Effusion, Parapneumonic Pleuritis, and Cardiac Hydrothorax.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) is a fibrinolytic system enzyme whose role in various fibrinolytic processes is currently unknown. In clinical manifestations of pleural liquids of diverse etiology, various levels of fibrinolytic activity can be observed-parapneumonic processes tend to loculate in fibrin septa, while malignant pleural effusion (MPE) does not. The purpose of this study was to determine possible differences in PAI-1 levels in pleural effusions of varied etiology. MATERIAL AND METHODS: PAI-1 level in pleural effusion and serum was determined in 144 patients with pleural effusions of various etiology (cardiac hydrothorax-42 patients (29.2%), MPE-67 patients (46.5%), parapneumonic pleuritis-27 (18.8%), tuberculous pleuritis-6 patients (4.1%), pancreatogenic pleuritis-1 patient (0.7%) and pulmonary artery thromboembolism with pleuritis-1 patient (0.7%)). RESULTS: The median PAI-1 level (ng/mL) was the highest in the parapneumonic pleuritis group both in the effusion and the serum, with values of 291 (213-499) ng/mL and 204 (151-412) ng/mL, respectively, resulting in a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001) from the cardiac hydrothorax and MPE groups. However, there was no statistically significant difference between PAI-1 levels in the pleural effusion and serum in the cardiac hydrothorax and MPE groups. CONCLUSION: The PAI-1 level in MPE and cardiac hydrothorax was statistically significantly lower than in parapneumonic pleuritis.

Hepatic Hydrothorax: An Updated Review on a Challenging Disease.

Hepatic hydrothorax is a challenging complication of cirrhosis related to portal hypertension with an incidence of 5-11% and occurs most commonly in patients with decompensated disease. Diagnosis is made through thoracentesis after excluding other causes of transudative effusions. It presents with dyspnea on exertion and it is most commonly right sided. Pathophysiology is mainly related to the direct passage of fluid from the peritoneal cavity through diaphragmatic defects. In this updated literature review, we summarize the diagnosis, clinical presentation, epidemiology and pathophysiology of hepatic hydrothorax, then we discuss a common complication of hepatic hydrothorax, spontaneous bacterial pleuritis, and how to diagnose and treat this condition. Finally, we elaborate all treatment options including chest tube drainage, pleurodesis, surgical intervention, Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt and the most recent evidence on indwelling pleural catheters, discussing the available data and concluding with management recommendations.

Indwelling Pleural Catheters in Hepatic Hydrothorax: A Single-Center Series of Outcomes and Complications.

BACKGROUND: Treatment of hepatic hydrothorax (HH) generally involves sodium restriction, diuretics, and serial thoracentesis. In more advanced cases, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt and liver transplantation may be required. Previously, indwelling tube drainage has been avoided due to concerns regarding high complication rates and overall poor outcomes. Recently, indwelling pleural catheters (IPCs) have been proposed as a novel treatment option for HH. METHODS: This study was a retrospective review of patients who had undergone IPC placement for HH over a 10-year period at a large liver transplant referral center. We tracked outcomes, including complication rates and liver transplantation, as well as biomarkers of nutritional status. RESULTS: Sixty-two patients underwent IPC placement between 2007 and 2017, with 33 IPCs (53%) placed as a bridge to liver transplantation. Complications were recorded in 22 patients (36%); empyema was the most common, diagnosed in 10 patients (16.1%). Ten patients evaluated for liver transplantation underwent successful transplantation following IPC placement. There were statistically significant decreases in both BMI and serum albumin levels following IPC placement. CONCLUSIONS: IPCs represent a potential treatment for refractory HH and should be used with caution in patients eligible for liver transplantation. Ideally, IPC use for these patients would be evaluated by a multidisciplinary team. IPC use may lead to small decreases in BMI and serum albumin levels in patients over time.

Frequency of Hepatic Hydrothorax and its Association with Child Pugh Class in Liver Cirrhosis Patients.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of hepatic hydrothorax and its association with Child Pugh Class in patients with liver cirrhosis. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive, analytical study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, Medical Unit-III, (Ward- 7), from June 2012 to May 2013. METHODOLOGY: All patients with established diagnosis of decompensated chronic liver disease were included. Detailed history, thorough physical examination, routine laboratory investigations, chest X-ray and abdominal ultrasound were carried out in all patients to find out the presence of pleural effusion and ascites, respectively. Fifty milliliters of pleural fluid was aspirated in all patients with pleural effusion using the transthoracic approach, taking ultrasound guidance, wherever required. Fluid was sent for microscopic, biochemical, and microbial analysis. SBEM defined if pleural fluid with polymorphonuclear (PMN) cell count > 500 cells/mm3 or positive culture with PMN cell count > 250 cells/mm3 with exclusion of a parapneumonic effusion. RESULTS: Two hundred and six patients met the inclusion criteria, with mean age of 41.25 ±13.59 years. Among them, 149 (72.3%) were males and 57 (27.7%) females. Twenty-three (11.2%) had hydrothorax; right sided involvement was in 18 (78.3%) subjects, 3 (13%) had left sided while bilateral pleural effusion was found in 2 (8.7%) cases. SBEM was found in 07 (30.43%) cases. Mean serum albumin 3.125 ±0.71 gram/dl. There was association between serum albumin levels and hydrothorax. Asignificant association of hydrothorax with Child Pugh scoring system (p=0.018), but not with serum albumin (p=0.15). CONCLUSION: The frequency of hepatic hydrothorax has a significant association with hepatic function as assessed by Child Pugh scoring system, but not with serum albumin.

An Unusual Presentation in Urinothorax.

Urinothorax is defined as the presence of urine in the pleural cavity. Leakage from the urinary tract can cause urinoma with retroperitoneal urine collection, and secondarily, urinothorax. We report the case of a 35-year-old female who presented with dyspnoea and right-sided chest pain. Chest radiograph revealed a right-sided pleural effusion. The patient had undergone left-sided ovarian cystectomy three months ago, had sustained a left-sided ureteric injury that required ureteric stent placement. Urinothorax was suspected as a consequence of ureteric injury; pleural fluid to serum creatinine ratio was found to be greater than one, confirming the diagnosis.

Malposición de catéter venoso central con resultado de hidrotórax en lactante tras cirugía cardiaca. A propósito de un caso / Hydrothorax in an infant induced by central venous catheter malposition after cardiac surgery. A case report

La perforación vascular con resultado de hidrotórax es una complicación poco frecuente de la colocación de un catéter venoso central. Debe sospecharse en aquellos pacientes con catéter venoso central en vena subclavia o yugular interna y derrame pleural con insuficiencia respiratoria y/o inestabilidad hemodinámica. Las pruebas radiológicas junto con una correcta interpretación de los resultados analíticos son clave para la realización de un diagnóstico rápido que evite complicaciones futuras. Se presenta el caso clínico de una lactante de un mes y 10 días que ingresa en unidad de cuidados intensivos tras cirugía cardiaca. Al ingreso en esta unidad se mantiene ventilación mecánica y catéter venoso central en vena yugular derecha, cuya correcta posición había sido comprobada mediante radiografía de tórax. A las 5-6 horas posteriores, se constata oliguria con hipotensión y aumento del débito por drenaje pleural, sospechando insuficiencia cardiaca. Dada la no mejoría clínica tras el tratamiento con fármacos vasoactivos, se realiza drenaje torácico para descartar quilotórax. Los resultados obtenidos tras el análisis del líquido pleural en el laboratorio de bioquímica clínica hacen sospechar de una posible contaminación con suero glucosalino, por lo que rápidamente es advertido al clínico solicitante. Ante esta situación se decide realizar una radiografía de tórax con contraste yodado, donde se evidencia extravasación del contenido de la vía central a cavidad pleural, con resultado de hidrotórax, procediendo a la retirada inmediata de dicha vía. La evolución posterior fue favorable y no hubo nuevas complicaciones (AU)

Hydrothorax as a result of vascular perforation is a rare complication of central venous catheter (CVC) and should be suspected in patients with subclavian or internal jugular vein catheterism as well as pleural effusion with respiratory failure and/or hemodynamic instability. A proper interpretation of the analytical results, in addition to radiological findings, is crucial for an early diagnosis that may avoid future complications. In this article we present a clinical case of an infant, aged one month and 10 days, who was admitted to the ICU after a cardiac surgery. Once in the ICU, mechanical ventilation and right jugular vein catheterism are maintained; the proper CVC placement had been previously verified by chest X-ray. After 5-6 hours the patient began to suffer from oliguria with hypotension and increased debt by pleural drainage, suspecting heart failure. There was no clinical improvement after treatment with vasoactive drugs so chest drainage was performed to discard chylotorax. The clinical biochemistry laboratory conducted a pleural fluid analysis. The results suggested contamination with glucosaline solution. Such results were reported to the applicant physician. According to the clinical situation a chest X-ray with iodinated contrast was performed evidencing an extravasation of the content of the CVC to pleural cavity, resulting in hydrothorax. The CVC was immediately removed. The subsequent evolution was favorable and there were no further complications (AU)

Recurrent hydrothorax and surgical diaphragmatic repair: report of 2 cases and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Pleural effusions may result from intra-abdominal processes and sometimes present with dramatic clinical consequences. We present 2 cases of recurrent hydrothorax requiring surgical repair of diaphragmatic defects and describe when surgery may be the best treatment modality. PATIENT 1: : A 63-year-old man with end-stage renal disease requiring peritoneal dialysis presented with dyspnea on exertion that progressed to cardiac arrest. He was found to have a tension hydrothorax that was initially stabilized with thoracentesis and tube thoracostomy. He eventually underwent surgical repair of fenestrations with complete resolution of his effusion. PATIENT 2:: A 52-year-old man with recurrent hydrothorax in the context of hepatitis C cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma following radiofrequency ablation to his liver had recurrent admissions with dyspnea and a large pleural effusion. When medical therapy failed, he underwent surgical repair of a large diaphragmatic defect. CONCLUSIONS: Hydrothorax related to peritoneal dialysis or cirrhosis may cause life-threatening scenarios in which medical management may stabilize the patient. Ultimately, surgical corrections of diaphragmatic defects may be necessary for definitive management in selected patients. Although these scenarios are rare, clinicians should be aware of these possibilities as early collaboration between medical and surgical services is essential for optimal patient care.

Experimental model to evaluate the effect of hydrothorax and lobar resection on lung compliance.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate to what extent lung compliance is affected by the individual and combined action of lung resection and hydrothorax in an animal model. METHODS: Anaesthetized and mechanically ventilated rabbits (weight range 2 ÷ 2.2 kg) were randomized in two groups: (i) experimental hydrothorax (from 2 to 8 ml) (n = 5) and (ii) right lower lobe lobectomy (n = 4) and right middle plus lower lobe resection (n = 2). To obtain lung compliance, we measured alveolar, oesophageal pressures and lung volume during slow inflation manoeuvres in control conditions and after hydrothorax or lung resection. Lung compliance was estimated as the change in lung volume divided by the change in transpulmonary pressure. Based on the changes in compliance of the whole lung, we calculated the corresponding changes in compliance of the right lung, which was directly exposed to unilateral hydrothorax and lobectomy. RESULTS: Average total lung compliance in the control was 3.3 ± 0.8 (SD) ml/cmH2O. Eight millilitres of hydrothorax significantly decreased (P < 0.001) lung compliance to 2.7 ± 0.7 ml/cmH2O and increased pleural liquid pressure at the bottom of the cavity from -1 cmH2O up to ∼ 2.5-3 cmH2O. Resection of the right lower lobe significantly decreased (P < 0.001) lung compliance to 1.75 ± 0.3 ml/cmH2O. Resection of the right middle plus lower lobes significantly decreased (P < 0.001) lung compliance to 1.52 ± 0.4 ml/cmH2O. CONCLUSIONS: Following hydrothorax, the decrease in right lung compliance (∼ 45%) was much greater than that expected based on the estimated decrease in right lung volume (20%). We attribute this difference to the fact that hydrothorax causes the lung to be exposed to positive, rather than sub-atmospheric, pressure, causing atelectasis. Following lobectomy, right lung compliance decreased by 62 and 80% for estimated decreases in lung volume of 30 and 60%. This difference could reflect inaccuracy in the estimate of lung volume reduction based on resected weight and/or surgical damage. We conclude that potential detrimental effects of hydrothorax and lobar resection decrease lung compliance and expose the lung to the risk of over-distension when a chest drain is applied.

Hepatic hydrothorax.

Hepatic hydrothorax is defined as a pleural effusion in patients with liver cirrhosis in the absence of cardiopulmonary disease. The estimated prevalence among patients with liver cirrhosis is approximately 5-6%. The pathophysiology involves the passage of ascitic fluid from the peritoneal cavity to the pleural space through diaphragmatic defects. The diagnosis is made from clinical presentation and confirmed by diagnostic thoracentesis with pleural fluid analysis. The initial medical management is sodium restriction and diuretics, but liver transplantation provides the only definitive therapy. For patients who are not transplant candidates and those who await organ availability, other therapeutic modalities that are to be considered include transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt placement, videoassisted thoracoscopic surgery repair, pleurodesis, and vasoconstrictors (eg, octreotide and terlipressin). The primary therapeutic goals are to reduce ascitic fluid production and improve symptoms to bridge the time for liver transplantation.

Hidrotórax fetal primario: experiencia propia y revisión de la literatura / Primary fetal hydrothorax: personal experience and a review of the literature

El hidrotórax fetal es una condición rara con una incidencia reportada de uno en cada 10.000-15.000 embarazos, y consiste en una acumulación severa de líquido en el espacio pleural. El propósito de este artículo es revisar tanto los aspectos básicos como el estado actual de esta condición, incidiendo principalmente en el diagnóstico, opciones de manejo, alternativas de tratamiento invasivo prenatal, y ofrecer la revisión de nuestra experiencia. En la ecografía prenatal el derrame pleural se aprecia como un área anecoica uni- o bilateral en el tórax que rodea los pulmones fetales. La evolución varía desde su resolución espontánea hasta su aumento progresivo y el posterior desarrollo de hidrops fetal y polihidramnios con un alto riesgo de parto pretérmino y muerte intrauterina o neonatal debido a que el efecto masa que produce puede causar hipoplasia pulmonar. El enfoque óptimo del manejo prenatal está todavía en debate ya que el curso natural de la enfermedad puede variar, pero es una condición seria con tasas de morbimortalidad elevadas y la terapia prenatal puede estar indicada en casos seleccionados(AU)

Fetal hydrothorax is a rare condition with a reported incidence of one in 10,000-15,000 pregnancies, and it is a severe accumulation of fluid in the pleural space. Pleural effusion is seen in prenatal ultrasound as a unilateral or bilateral non-echogenic area in the chest around the fetal lungs. The outcome varies from spontaneous resolution to its gradual increase and the subsequent development of fetal hydrops and polyhydramnios with a high risk of preterm delivery, stillbirth or neonatal death due to pulmonary hypoplasia. The optimal prenatal management is still unclear, since the natural course of the disease can vary, but it is a serious condition with a high morbidity and mortality and prenatal therapy may be indicated in selected cases. The purpose of this paper is to review both the basic aspects of the condition and the current status, focusing primarily on the diagnosis, management options, prenatal therapy alternatives, and provide a review of our experience(AU)

Hidrotórax hepático: cuando la evolución es la evidencia / Hepatic hydrothorax: when the patient's course is the evidence you need

Se analiza el caso clínico de un paciente de 61 años, alcoholista, con hidrotórax unilateral derecho y signos clínicos de insuficiencia hepatocítica crónica planteándose como etiología del derrame el hidrotórax hepático. A propósito de este caso clínico se discuten los criterios diagnósticos de esta entidad, forma de estudio, patrones evolutivos, complicaciones y la eficacia de las distintas opciones terapéuticas

Angiogenic and antiangiogenic factors before and after resolution of maternal mirror syndrome.

Mirror syndrome is a rare condition that involves fetal hydrops, placentomegaly and severe maternal edema. The pathogenesis of this syndrome mimics endothelial dysfunction observed in pre-eclampsia. We report a case of maternal mirror syndrome caused by bilateral fetal hydrothorax that resolved after intrauterine pleuroamniotic shunt placement. At the time of the clinical manifestation there was an antiangiogenic state similar to that seen in pre-eclampsia, which resolved after fetal treatment. Our findings suggest that mirror syndrome is a manifestation of a broad spectrum of pathological conditions that induces an antiangiogenic state.