Although pleural effusion as a complication of esophageal manipulation
is well described in the literature, the fluid is usually nonhemorrha
gic. We describe the first patient who had uncomplicated sclerotherapy
with ethanolamine for esophageal varices, and on two occasions this p
atient developed left-sided bloody pleural effusion within 12-72 h aft
er sclerotherapy. The effusion resolved spontaneously within 4 weeks.
This case illustrates that hemothorax should be included in the pulmon
ary complications of sclerotherapy for esophageal varices.