Refractory Spontaneous Bacterial Empyema in Cirrhotic Patient

Spontaneous bacterial empyema (SBEM), also called spontaneous bacterial pleuritis, is an infection of the pleural space that arises in the setting of cirrhosis and, by definition, the absence of pneumonia. It is likely underdiagnosed as its symptoms are nonspecific and it lacks standardized diagnostic and therapeutic recommendations. SBEM represents a distinct complication of hepatic hydrothorax with different pathogenesis, presentation, and treatment strategy from those of empyema secondary to pneumonia. Surprisingly, nearly 40% of episodes of spontaneous empyema are not associated with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. Although SBEM is amenable to prompt antibiotic therapy, it has a high rate of mortality and morbidity. A high clinical suspicion is crucial for patient survival and timely initiation of appropriate antibiotics. Increased understanding, recognition, and standardization of treatment would help alleviate the relatively high burden of SBEM. In this case vignette, we provide a review of the relevant literature, and we describe a rare case of SBEM in a patient with a history of alcohol-associated liver cirrhosis and prior episode of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP). SBEM was diagnosed with thoracentesis and analysis of the aspirate, and he was treated with ceftriaxone with resolution of his presenting abdominal pain and leukocytosis.

Empiema bacteriano espontáneo como complicación de la cirrosis hepática: ¿cuándo sospecharlo y cómo tratarlo? Presentación de casos

Spontaneous bacterial empyema is defined as infection of the liver hydrothorax in the cirrhotic patients. It is a rare cause of decompensated cirrhosis, with few bibliographic reports in the region, and its presence marks a turning point of inflection in the evolution of the disease with a poor prognosis in the short term. Two clinical cases of patients with this complication are presented, which were referred to the National Liver Transplant Program of Uruguay. The clinical features, a pathophysiology and a therapeutic approach of this pathology are reviewed. Special emphasis is placed on empirical antibiotic treatment based on the site of acquisition of the infection and local epidemiology, and in the opportunity for the resolution of the underlying hepatic hydrothorax, with a high risk of complications that may be associated with invasive treatments.

Pulmonary complications in patients with liver cirrhosis

Patients with advanced chronic liver diseases, particularly with decompensated liver cirrhosis, can develop specific pulmonary complications independently of any pre-existing lung disease. Especially when dyspnea occurs in combination with liver cirrhosis, patients should be evaluated for hepato-pulmonary syndrome (HPS), porto-pulmonary hypertension (PPHT), hepatic hydrothorax and spontaneous bacterial empyema, which represent the clinically most relevant pulmonary complications of liver cirrhosis. Importantly, the pathophysiology, clinical features, diagnosis and the corresponding therapeutic options differ between these entities, highlighting the role of specific diagnostics in patients with liver cirrhosis who present with dyspnea. Liver transplantation may offer a curative therapy, including selected cases of HPS and PPHT. In this review article, we summarize the pathogenesis, clinical features, diagnostic algorithms and treatment options of the 4 specific pulmonary complications in patients with liver cirrhosis.