Biomaterial Database

Cirrhotic pleural effusion in the absence of ascites. 1977

J A Singer, and M M Kaplan, and R L Katz

A 61-year-old female presented with a right transudative pleural effusion in the absence of ascites and other stigmata of chronic liver disease. A diagnosis of cirrhosis with a secondary hydrothorax was eventually established; however, ascites could never be demonstrated clinically or radiographically until just before her death, when hypertonic saline was administered for symptomatic hyponatremia. Based on the autopsy finding of a 1-mm hole in the right diaphragm and her clinical course, a mechanism for the production of a cirrhotic pleural effusion in the absence of asictes is proposed.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008103	Liver Cirrhosis	Liver disease in which the normal microcirculation, the gross vascular anatomy, and the hepatic architecture have been variably destroyed and altered with fibrous septa surrounding regenerated or regenerating parenchymal nodules.	Cirrhosis, Liver,Fibrosis, Liver,Hepatic Cirrhosis,Liver Fibrosis,Cirrhosis, Hepatic
D008875	Middle Aged	An adult aged 45 - 64 years.	Middle Age
D010996	Pleural Effusion	Presence of fluid in the pleural cavity resulting from excessive transudation or exudation from the pleural surfaces. It is a sign of disease and not a diagnosis in itself.	Effusion, Pleural,Effusions, Pleural,Pleural Effusions
D003964	Diaphragm	The musculofibrous partition that separates the THORACIC CAVITY from the ABDOMINAL CAVITY. Contraction of the diaphragm increases the volume of the thoracic cavity aiding INHALATION.	Respiratory Diaphragm,Diaphragm, Respiratory,Diaphragms,Diaphragms, Respiratory,Respiratory Diaphragms
D005260	Female		Females
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001201	Ascites	Accumulation or retention of free fluid within the peritoneal cavity.