What is "hydrothorax"

Hydrothorax \Hy`dro*tho"rax\, n. [Hydro-, 1 + thorax.] (Med.) An accumulation of serous fluid in the cavity of the chest.

n. (context medicine English) The presence of fluid in the pleural cavity.

n. accumulation of fluid in the pleural cavity (the space between the lungs and the walls of the chest) often resulting from disease of the heart or kidneys

Hydrothorax is a type of pleural effusion in which serous fluid accumulates in the pleural cavity. This condition is most likely to develop secondary to congestive heart failure, but can also be related to cirrhosis or ascites in certain situations. Hepatic hydrothorax is often difficult to manage in end-stage liver failure and often fails to respond to therapy.

In similar pleural effusions, the fluid is blood in hemothorax (as in major chest injuries), pus in pyothorax (resulting from chest infections), and lymph in chylothorax (resulting from rupture of the thoracic duct).