A hydrothorax is a condition that results from serous fluid

Serous fluid

In physiology, the term serous fluid is used for various bodily fluids that are typically pale yellow and transparent, and of a benign nature, that fill the inside of body cavities. Serous fluid originates from serous glands, with secretions enriched with proteins and water. Serous fluid may also...

 accumulating in the pleural cavity

Pleural cavity

In human anatomy, the pleural cavity is the potential space between the two pleura of the lungs. The pleura is a serous membrane which folds back onto itself to form a two-layered, membrane structure. The thin space between the two pleural layers is known as the pleural cavity; it normally...

. This specific condition can be related to cirrhosis

Cirrhosis

Cirrhosis is a consequence of chronic liver disease characterized by replacement of liver tissue by fibrosis, scar tissue and regenerative nodules , leading to loss of liver function...

 with ascites

Ascites

Ascites is a gastroenterological term for an accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity.The medical condition is also known as peritoneal cavity fluid, peritoneal fluid excess, hydroperitoneum or more archaically as abdominal dropsy. Although most commonly due to cirrhosis and severe liver...

 in which ascitic fluid leaks into the pleural cavity. Hepatic hydrothorax is often difficult to manage in end-stage liver failure and often fails to respond to therapy.

In similar pleural effusion

Pleural effusion

Pleural effusion is excess fluid that accumulates between the two pleural layers, the fluid-filled space that surrounds the lungs. Excessive amounts of such fluid can impair breathing by limiting the expansion of the lungs during ventilation.-Pathophysiology:...

s, hemothorax

Hemothorax

A hemothorax is a condition that results from blood accumulating in the pleural cavity.-Cause and presentation:Its cause is usually traumatic, from a blunt or penetrating injury to the thorax, resulting in a rupture of the serous membrane either lining the thorax or covering the lungs...

 this fluid is blood (as in major chest injuries), in pyothorax

Empyema

Pleural empyema is an accumulation of pus in the pleural cavity. Most pleural empyemas arise from an infection within the lung , often associated with parapneumonic effusions. There are three stages: exudative, fibrinopurulent and organizing. In the exudative stage, the pus accumulates...

 the fluid is pus (resulting from chest infections), and in chylothorax

Chylothorax

A chylothorax is a type of pleural effusion. It results from lymphatic fluid accumulating in the pleural cavity.-Causes:...

 it is lymph

Lymph

Lymph is considered a part of the interstitial fluid, the fluid which lies in the interstices of all body tissues. Interstitial fluid becomes lymph when it enters a lymph capillary...

 fluid (resulting from rupture of the thoracic duct).

Treatment

Treatment of hydrothorax is difficult for several reasons. The underlying condition needs to be corrected, however often the source of the hydrothorax is end stage liver disease and corrected only by transplant. Chest tube placement should not occur. Other measures such as a TIPS procedure

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt

A Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt is an artificial channel within the liver that establishes communication between the inflow portal vein and the outflow hepatic vein...

are more effective as they treat the etiology of the hydrothorax, however have complications such as worsened hepatic encephalopathy.