Hepatopleural Fistula with Empyema Thoracis: A Rare Complication of Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease

Abstract

We report a 70-year-old man with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) who presented with right-sided extended-spectrum beta-lactamases Escherichia coli empyema thoracis. Chest and abdominal computed tomography showed hepatopleural fistula. The patient refused a surgical operation and was treated with tube thoracotomy, percutaneous drainage of dominant liver cyst, and intravenous antibiotics. His symptoms improved after 2 months of nonsurgical treatment.

Empyema thoracis: an unreported complication of an infected renal cyst

“…Cyst infections are a very serious and well‐documented potential complication affecting patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) 1–3 . Pleural extension or fistulization of subphrenic pathologies involving gastric, pancreatic or hepatic infections has also been described 3 .…”