Cirrhosis of Liver

[sachinsanghavi]

Hi,
My father in law is being treated for "Cirrhosis of Liver" and he's also diabetic. He has been asked to reduce the intake of the Salt to max 2 grams per day.

He was suffering from breathlessness & Coughing. On checking it was identified that there is some amount of water accumulation in the lungs.

Kindly guide or let me know the possible reasons for the accumulation of water in lungs and the step ahead to be taken. How would you rate this on the complication level on a scale of 10?

Regards,
Sachin Sanghavi.

[Thomas D Schiano, MD]

this called hepatic hydrothorax and is related to the liver disease, related to ascites fluid tracking up through rents in the diaphragm.  this could be quite severe in some patients and be an indication for transplantation

[sachinsanghavi]

Thank you sir.

He's at the age of 54, fat and diabetic. How safe is it to transplant at this age and is it actually recommended?

Regards,
Sachin Sanghavi

[Thomas D Schiano, MD]

if anything can be done to obviate the need for a transplant under any circumstances it is always best.  sometimes a TIPS procedure can be performed to treat the hydrothorax.