title: [Pleural fibrosis as a side effect of years-long methysergide therapy].
abstract: A 58-year-old man was admitted to hospital because of exertional dyspnoea and a cardiac murmur not previously heard. For one year he was known to have left-sided fibrinous pleuritis. For 5 years he had been taking methysergide for cluster headaches. From 1950-1980 he had worked with asbestos-containing insulating material. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate was greatly increased to 117/136 mm and there was an hypochromic anaemia (Hb 10.4 g/dl). The cholestasis enzymes were elevated (gamma-GT 88 U/l; alkaline phosphatase 511 U/l). Computed tomography of the thorax demonstrated left-sided pleural thickening of up to 3 cm. Endocarditis was excluded (sterile blood culture; normal echocardiogram). There was no evidence of an infectious, immunological or malignant cause for the pleural fibrosis. One year after pleurectomy and having discontinued methysergide all biochemical tests were normal.
authors.affiliation: Medizinische Klinik II und Poliklinik, Universität Köln.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Weller
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chemaissani
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy; D003027:Cluster Headache / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004698:Endocarditis, Subacute Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis; D005355:Fibrosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008784:Methysergide / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010994:Pleura / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D010998:Pleurisy / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D011433:Propranolol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D011433:Propranolol; D008784:Methysergide
vernacular_title: Pleurafibrose als Nebenwirkung einer langjährigen Methysergid-Therapie.