Published in:
Open Access
01-12-2023 | Liver Transplantation | Research article
International survey among hepatologists and pulmonologists on the hepatic hydrothorax: plea for recommendations
Authors:
Jean-François David Cadranel, Isabelle Ollivier-Hourmand, Jacques Cadranel, Thierry Thevenot, Honoré Zougmore, Eric Nguyen-Khac, Christophe Bureau, Manon Allaire, Jean-Baptiste Nousbaum, Véronique Loustaud-Ratti, Xavier Causse, Philippe Sogni, Bertrand Hanslik, Marc Bourliere, Jean-Marie Peron, Nathalie Ganne-Carrie, Thong Dao, Dominique Thabut, Bernard. Maitre, Nabil Debzi, Ryad Smadhi, Roger Sombie, Raimi Kpossou, Olivier Nouel, Julien Bissonnette, Isaac Ruiz, Mourad Medmoun, Sergio Negrin Dastis, Pierre Deltenre, Florent Artru, Chantal Raherison, Laure Elkrief, Tristan Lemagoarou
Published in:
BMC Gastroenterology
|
Issue 1/2023
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Abstract
Background
The Hepatic hydrothorax is a pleural effusion related to portal hypertension; its diagnosis and therapeutic management may be difficult. The aims of this article are which follows: To gather the practices of hepatogastroenterologists or pulmonologists practitioners regarding the diagnosis and management of the hepatic hydrothorax.
Methods
Practitioners from 13 French- speaking countries were invited to answer an online questionnaire on the hepatic hydrothorax diagnosis and its management.
Results
Five hundred twenty-eight practitioners (80% from France) responded to this survey. 75% were hepatogastroenterologists, 20% pulmonologists and the remaining 5% belonged to other specialities. The Hepatic hydrothorax can be located on the left lung for 64% of the responders (66% hepatogastroenterologists vs 57% pulmonologists; p = 0.25); The Hepatic hydrothorax can exist in the absence of clinical ascites for 91% of the responders (93% hepatogastroenterologists vs 88% pulmonologists; p = 0.27). An Ultrasound pleural scanning was systematically performed before a puncture for 43% of the responders (36% hepatogastroenterologists vs 70% pulmonologists; p < 0.001). A chest X-ray was performed before a puncture for 73% of the respondeurs (79% hepatogastroenterologists vs 54% pulmonologists; p < 0.001). In case of a spontaneous bacterial empyema, an albumin infusion was used by 73% hepatogastroenterologists and 20% pulmonologists (p < 0.001). A drain was used by 37% of the responders (37% hepatogastroenterologists vs 31% pulmonologists; p = 0.26).An Indwelling pleural catheter was used by 50% pulmonologists and 22% hepatogastroenterologists (p < 0.01). TIPS was recommended by 78% of the responders (85% hepatogastroenterologists vs 52% pulmonologists; p < 0.001) and a liver transplantation, by 76% of the responders (86% hepatogastroenterologists vs 44% pulmonologists; p < 0.001).
Conclusions
The results of this large study provide important data on practices of French speaking hepatogastroenterologists and pulmonologists; it appears that recommendations are warranted.