Thoracic herniation secondary to pleural effusion

We present the case of a 61-year-old gentleman with history of stage IV esophageal cancer presented to the emergency department with the complaints of dyspnea on exertion and cough of 1-month duration. Patient had undergone resection of distal esophagus 4 years' prior this admission. Chest radiograph revealed a large right pleural effusion and, a computed tomography scan of the chest revealed a portion of the effusion herniating between the ribs in the right hemithorax. Thoracentesis was performed with improvement in patient's dyspnea and overall condition. Patient was doing better and asymptomatic on his 3-month follow-up. Inadequate closure after surgical procedure can lead to presentation of a lung herniation. This can appear immediately after or many years later. Video-assisted thoracoscopy has been attributed to post-operative presentation of thoracic hernias when compared to more extensive operative procedures. Keywords: Pleural effusion, Thoracic herniation, Surgery, Pleural pressure, Thoracentesis