Publication: Pleural effusion in hepatic vena cava disease
Date
2007
Authors
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Publisher
Kathmandu University
Abstract
Pleural effusion is not uncommon in developing countries. It is usually considered to be due to tuberculosis and
treated with anti-tubercular chemotherapy without much diagnostic workup. Hepatic vena cava disease (HVD), a
disease caused by obliterative lesion of the hepatic portion of inferior vena cava induced by bacterial infection is
common in developing countries. We report here the occurrence of pleural effusion in 10% of the cases of HVD.
Four patients, one with acute and three with chronic HVD that presented with pleural effusion are described. Pleural
effusion in HVD responded to treatment with antibiotic and diuretic. In developing countries HVD should be
considered in the differential diagnosis of pleural effusion. It is postulated that bacterial infection and sodium
retention resulting from acute caval obstruction are important in the pathogenesis of pleural effusion in HVD.
Key words: Pleural effusion, Hepatic Vena Cava Disease, Budd-Chiari syndrome, IVC obstruction
Description
Shrestha SM
Liver Foundation Nepal