"Sweet" hydrothorax complicating chronic peritoneal dialysis.

Massive pleural effusion occurring during continuous peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a rare, life-endangering complication of this procedure. We describe a case of a patient with type 2 diabetic end-stage renal disease (ESRD) treated by PD who had new-onset dyspnea, right pleural effusion, and uncontrolled hyperglycemia. Respiratory distress and pleural effusion progressed quickly during the course of dialysis. A large volume of a "sweet" fluid with a high glucose content was evacuated from the pleural space. Immediate improvement in the patient's condition and glucose control followed discontinuation of PD and initiation of hemodialysis.