Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma developed with lymphocytic pleural effusion

Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AILT) is a rare variant of nodal and aggressive lymphoma. It is sometimes difficult to distinguish AILT from reactive lymphoid hyperplasia from the histopathological aspect. We report a case of AILT which developed with bilateral pleural effusion. The effusion consisted predominately of small lymphoid cells. Analyses of the effusion showed trisomy 3, and rearranged bands of TCR beta gene. Flow cytometry showed a very small amount of CD10-positive cells. Although we could not further identify the tumor cells in this case, analysis of pleural effusion cells will increase our understanding of the pathogenesis and the pathophysiology of AILT.