title: Contarini's syndrome: bilateral pleural effusion, each side from different causes.
abstract: Bilateral pleural effusions usually have a single causative factor, such as heart failure or malignancy. Contarini's syndrome refers to the occurrence of bilateral pleural fluid accumulation which can be explained by a different cause for each side. Literature search finds, along with 5 new descriptions from our center, totaled 12 cases. A frequent combination is that of a parapneumonic effusion that triggers heart failure, which in turn produces a contralateral transudate.
authors: Pleural Diseases Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Arnau de Vilanova University Hospital, Institut de Reçerca Biomèdica de Lleida, Lleida, Spain. jporcelp@yahoo.es
authors: José M
authors: JM
authors: Porcel
authors: M Carmen
authors: MC
authors: Civit
authors: Silvia
authors: S
authors: Bielsa
authors: Richard W
authors: RW
authors: Light
mesh_terms: D016724:Empyema, Pleural / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D013577:Syndrome