Urinothorax: A rare cause of pediatric pleural effusion

Abstract

ABSTRACTA 16-year-old female with a complex medical history, including myelomeningocele and nephrolithiasis, presented with severe chest pain and dyspnea following nephrolithotomy and nephrostomy tube insertion. Chest X-ray and CT scan revealed a unilateral pleural effusion, while laboratory studies revealed elevated levels of creatinine in pleural fluid, thereby establishing the diagnosis of a urinothorax. This is an unusual cause of pleural effusion, caused by either an obstructive uropathy or direct injury to the pleural cavity. Treatment is largely symptomatic, with consideration of thoracentesis for large effusions. Urinothorax should be considered as a cause of pleural effusion in patients.