Pleural abnormalities of uremia have been recognized for many years but have been given little attention despite their high incidence. Mechanisms underlying pleural effusion relate to filtration forces across subpleural capillaries and lymphatic absorption, either of which can be abnormal in patients with renal failure. Uremic patients have increased susceptibility to many causes of pleural exudate. In addition, a specific uremic pleuritis has been characterized as necrotizing fibrinous sterile exudate that is often hemorrhagic. Spontaneous remission, often with recurrences, or constrictive pleural thickening requiring surgical decortication may occur. Neither the pathogenesis nor the appropriate treatment of uremic pleuritis has been established definitively.