Multiple myeloma presenting with a paraspinal tumor and malignant effusion: case report

We describe a patient with multiple myeloma which presented as a thoracic paraspinal tumor and myelomatous pleural effusion. He had manifested a gradual onset of upper back pain with radiation to the left chest wall for 3 months. A radiographic examination showed left pleural effusion and a paraspinal tumor with rib destruction at the--left T5-6 level. Laboratory data showed anemia and a reversed serum albumin to globulin ratio. Protein electrophoresis and immunoelectrophoresis showed a monoclonal IgG-lambda chain component in the serum, urine, and pleural effusion fluid. Ultrasound-guided transthoracic mass biopsy and thoracentesis were performed for diagnosis. Biopsy of the thoracic tumor showed a solid mass composed of immature plasma cells. The pleural effusion fluid contained numerous immature plasma cells. An immunophenotype study of the pleural effusion fluid revealed monoclonal plasma cells, compatible with malignant pleural effusion. A specimen of bone marrow was interpreted as typical for plasma cell myeloma. Local radiotherapy and chemotherapy with melphalan and prednisolone resulted in good partial remission with a stable condition. Later, however, the disease flared up and hyperviscosity syndrome developed with epistaxis and retinal hemorrhage. He died of sepsis about 15 months after the initial diagnosis.