title: Rheumatoid pleural effusion in the absence of arthritic disease.
abstract: Rheumatoid pleural effusion is an unusual complication of rheumatoid disease that typically presents subsequent to other more common manifestations of rheumatoid illness. The case of a 72-year-old woman with a rheumatoid pleural effusion is discussed. The patient presented with dyspnea, but without any history of rheumatoid arthritis. The patient was treated by thoracentesis, followed by video-thoracoscopy and pulmonary decortication. Postoperatively, the patient's effusion partially reaccumulated. Steroid therapy resulted in prompt and permanent resolution of the effusion. The patient remains asymptomatic 1 year after her presentation. The biochemical, serologic, and cytologic characteristics of rheumatoid effusions are reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. jallan@partners.org
authors.forename: James S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Allan
authors.forename: Dean M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Donahue
authors.forename: Julie M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Garrity
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011859:Radiography; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor / Q000097:blood; D020775:Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor; D011241:Prednisone