Polymyalgia rheumatica as an unusual cause of pleural and pericardial effusion.
We report a patient with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) who initially presented with chest pain pleural and pericardial effusions. A history was then obtained of shoulder girdle aching and stiffness, suggestive of PMR, and laboratory investigations supported the diagnosis. A rapid response to 15 mg prednisolone once daily was noted, with resolution of effusion and symptoms. Although pericardial effusion has previously been reported, this is the first reported case of pleuropericardial effusions in PMR. Rheumatologists should be aware that PMR may occasionally be the explanation for pleuropericardial effusion in the elderly.
Malone
Catherine B
CB
Department of Rheumatology, Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Eccles Street, Dublin 7, Ireland. cathmalone@hotmail.com
McCarthy
Geraldine M
GM
D000368:Aged; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000032:analysis; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D011111:Polymyalgia Rheumatica / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D005340:Fibrinogen; D011239:Prednisolone