[A case of Sjögren's syndrome with pleural effusion]

A 45-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of a fever. A round erythema was noted on the skin, suggesting collagen disease. Bilateral pleural effusion developed during hospitalization, and serum and pleural effusion were positive for antinuclear antibody, RA factor, anti-SS-A antibody, and anti-SS-B antibody. A diagnosis of Sjögren's syndrome was made on the basis of reduced lacrimation and the histological findings in a biopsy specimen from the lip. The cells in the pleural effusion were predominantly lymphocytes, and so a pleural lesion associated with Sjögren's syndrome was suspected, but reports of this condition have been scarce. Good therapeutic results were obtained by corticosteroid administration. Sjögren's syndrome should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pleural effusion associated with collagen disease.