title: Right-Sided Pleural Effusion in a Critically Ill Stroke Patient.
abstract: Pleural fluid collections are common in those critically ill. We report the case of a left middle cerebral artery stroke patient who developed respiratory distress and required intubation and mechanical ventilation. Although the patient's clinical status and oxygenation improved, there was persistence of right-sided opacity in the chest radiograph. Further workup proved a right-sided pleural effusion, which was drained and managed. Following extubation, a swallow study was ordered, which led to a fluoroscopic examination that demonstrated esophageal perforation. Thoracic surgery was consulted and did a primary repair of perforation and noted non-small cell carcinoma on the perforated site.
authors.affiliation: University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA.
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bautista
authors.affiliation: University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Heine
authors.affiliation: University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA.
authors.forename: Victor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: van Berkel
authors.affiliation: University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA.
authors.forename: Lydia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kelly-Frasher
authors.affiliation: University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA.
authors.forename: Kerri
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Remmel
authors.affiliation: University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA.
authors.forename: Ozan
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Akca
keywords: critical care; esophageal perforation; non–small cell lung carcinoma; pleural effusion; transesophageal echocardiography