A Case of Viral Hepatitis with Pleural Effusion

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A 27-year-old male was admitted to the Toho University Hospital with icterus and massive right pleural effusion containing 4.Og/dl of protein. The hepatocellular dysfunction and positive HBs antigen were revealed and he was diagnosed as typical acute viral hepatitis, type B. Evaluation for his pleural effusion presented no evidence of pulmonary parenchymal disease, tuberculosis, or other systemic disorder. Since the effusion resolved with normalization of liver function tests, it is most likely that the effusion was a complication of viral hepatitis. Cases with pleural effusion as the presenting sign of viral hepatitis are rare in the recent medical literature. A survey of publications disclosed the presence of this association in at least 11 patients, not including our own.