title: Elevated glucose in pleural effusion: an early clue to esophageal perforation.
abstract: Esophageal perforation is a rare cause of pleural effusions that carries with it a high mortality rate if diagnosis is delayed. The chemical characteristics of the pleural effusion include high amylase and low pH levels. However, these variables are nonspecific. We present a case of pleural effusion in a patient with markedly elevated glucose levels from recent cola ingestion as a specific clue to the diagnosis of esophageal perforation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Pulmonary Section 111F, VA Medical Center, 3200 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45220, USA.
authors.forename: Khalid F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Almoosa
authors.forename: Noel
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wardell
authors.forename: Shahrokh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Javaheri
mesh_terms: D002253:Carbonated Beverages; D004939:Esophageal Perforation / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005947:Glucose / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000737:chemistry / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D005947:Glucose