Decompensated Liver Cirrhosis Presenting as a Spontaneous Left-Sided Bacterial Empyema

Decompensation of cirrhosis presents with ascites, encephalopathy, variceal bleeding, or spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. Infrequently, decompensation can result from spontaneous bacterial empyema. A 38-year-old man presented with fevers, chills, and dyspnea. Labs were significant for leukocytosis, transaminitis, and coagulopathy. Imaging showed liver cirrhosis with ascites and a left pleural effusion. Treatment of the effusion consisted of chest tube drainage and antibiotics. Spontaneous bacterial empyema was diagnosed after pleural fluid cultures were positive for Escherichia coli. Our case demonstrates that spontaneous bacterial empyemas can be left-sided, and the first sign of decompensation.