HEPATIC HYDROTHORAX IN THE ABSENCE OF ASCITES

Pleural effusion due to hepatic cirrhosis and ascites is well known, b ut hepatic hydrothorax in the absence of ascites is a rare complicatio n. We report a case of liver cirrhosis due to hepatitis C virus with a large and recurring pleural effusion that had an apparent abdominal s ource in the absence of ascites. We review the characteristics and tre atment for hepatic hydrothorax in the absence of ascites.