{
  "abstract": "Hepatic hydrothorax refers to the presence of a pleural effusion (usually >500 mL) in a patient with cirrhosis in whom other causes of pleural effusion, such as cardiopulmonary causes, pleural disease or malignancy have been excluded. It is seen in 5%–10% of patients with end-stage liver disease. A subset of these patients can develop infection of the hepatic hydrothorax, called spontaneous bacterial empyema. They may present with fever, chills and dyspnoea. We present the case of an 83-year-old man with a history of cirrhosis who developed a large right-sided pleural effusion, confirmed to be empyema by pleural fluid analysis. We aim to highlight the occurrence of spontaneous bacterial empyema. While less common that spontaneous bacterial peritonitis as a complication of cirrhosis, it is equally serious with potential for adverse outcomes.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Internal Medicine, Presence Saint Joseph Hospital Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA"
      ],
      "name": "Sarthak Soin"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Internal Medicine, Presence Saint Joseph Hospital Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA"
      ],
      "name": "Nehan Sher"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Internal Medicine, Presence Saint Joseph Hospital Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA"
      ],
      "name": "Nasir Saleem"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Spontaneous bacterial empyema: an elusive diagnosis in a patient with cirrhosis",
  "uid": "8c7793d9-53f8-5c19-b3bf-af3e9e1b9cf7"
}