Introduction: The aim of this study is to assess the pleural effusion frequency retrospectively and to define characteristics of pleural fluid, among patients referred to our center as liver trasplantation candidates.

Materials and Methods: 135 patients (43 women, 92 men) were included in the study and the mean age was 40 years (min. 16, max.66 years). Demographic features and respiratory symptoms were noted. Chest X-ray of each patient included in the study was examined to evaluate pleural effusion.

Results: 16 patients had respiratory symptoms at the time of first admission to the hospital (11.9%) and abnormal radiologic findings were found in 49 patients(36.3%). Elevated right hemidiaphragm was the most common radiographic abnormality (n=32). Pleural effusion (n=22, 16.2%), atelectasis (n=21, 15.5%), hilar enlargement (n=18, 13.3%) and left hemidiaphragm elevation (n=9, 6.6%) were other radiographic findings respectively. Of the 22 patients with pleural effusion, 17 had right sided (77.2%), 4 had bilateral (18.1%) and one patient had left sided (4.5%) pleural fluid. 10 of the patients underwent thoracentesis and the results of the pleural fluid analysis were compatible with transudate in 9 patients and exudate in 1 patient.

Conclusions: About one-third of the liver transplantation candidates inclued in this study was diagnosed with any lung disease during routine preoperative assessment tests. Pleural effusion was detected about half of these patients and most of the cases had right side localized transudative pleural effusion. Preoperative pleural effusion is a frequent problem in liver transplantation candidates.