Hydrothorax in liver disease: pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment.

The review discusses the current understanding of the pathogenesis, diagnostic methods and principles of treatment of hepatic hydrothorax. To search for scientific articles, we used PubMed database, Google Scholar search system, Cochrane systematic reviews, and reference lists. The corresponding objectives of the review of the publication were selectedfor the periodfrom 1994 to 2016 by the terms: «cirrhosis of the liver», «portal hypertension», «hepatic hydrothorax», «pathogenesis», «diagnosis», «treatment». Inclusion criteria were limited to uncomplicated hydrothorax in patients with liver cirrhosis. Analysis of the literature data showed that, despite the success of modern Hepatology, the presence of hepatic hydrothorax is associated with poor prognosis and high mortality. The majority ofpatients suffering from it are candidates for orthotopic liver transplantation. In normal clinical practice, the key to successful management of such patients may be stratification of the risk of adverse outcome and the definition of individual treatment tactics. Pathogenetically sound approach to the choice of pharmacotherapy, as well as the optimization of minimally invasive treatments will improve the quality of life and increase the survival of this category ofpatients.