# Role of Indwelling Pleural Catheters in Recurrent Exudative Pleural Effusions and Liver Cysts: A Case Report

## TL;DR

An elderly woman with recurrent pleural effusion and a large liver cyst was treated with an indwelling pleural catheter as a less invasive alternative to surgery.

## Contribution

This case report highlights the use of indwelling pleural catheters as a viable option for managing non-malignant pleural effusions in patients unsuitable for surgery.

## Key findings

- The patient experienced recurrent right-sided exudative pleural effusion associated with a large hepatic cyst.
- An indwelling pleural catheter provided symptom relief and was used as an alternative to surgical debridement.
- The pleural effusion was non-malignant and sterile, with no evidence of infection or cancer.

## Abstract

Unilateral exudative pleural effusions have been described as a rare complication of polycystic liver disease. Surgical debridement of the main cyst reduces recurrence of the pleural effusion. We describe the case of an elderly Asian woman with recurrent large right-sided pleural effusion and also a large hepatic cyst under her right hemidiaphragm. She was deemed a poor surgical candidate and was treated with an indwelling pleural catheter (IPC). She was discharged from Sengkang General Hospital with improvement in symptoms.

An 88-year-old Asian woman presented twice to Sengkang General Hospital with recurrent right-sided exudative pleural effusion. She had a past medical history of hypertension, type 2 diabetes, hyperlipidemia, ischemic heart disease (left ventricle ejection fraction 55%), atrial fibrillation, and chronic kidney disease stage 3 (estimated glomerular filtration rate 53). She denied any family history of polycystic kidney or liver disease. Computer tomography of her chest, abdomen, and pelvis revealed a large right pleural effusion and also a large hepatic cyst. A pleural catheter was inserted and the fluid analysis was consistent with an exudative effusion. The pleural fluid was sterile to culture for bacteria and mycobacterium. The cytology was negative for malignant cells. The pleural effusion recurred quickly despite repeated large-volume drainage from the pleural catheter. Our patient was not suitable for surgical debridement of the hepatic cyst and eventually received an IPC and was discharged.

With the advent of IPC, there has been increasing interest in using IPC in the management of non-malignant pleural effusions. While surgical debridement of hepatic cysts is the preferred treatment option in recurrent pleural effusion associated with polycystic liver disease, IPCs now provide another viable and minimally invasive option for clinicians and patients.