Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Local Anesthetic Thoracoscopy for Undiagnosed Pleural Effusion
Published on: November 10, 2023
Sodium valproate as a cause of recurrent transudative pleural effusion: a case report
Stavros Tryfon1, Maria Saroglou, Kosmas Kazanas
11st Pulmonary Clinic, G,H, "G, Papanikolaou", Thessaloniki, Greece. strifon@med.auth.gr.
Introduction:
There are few reported cases of neutrophilic pleural effusions associated with valproic acid therapy. Most of them are of eosinophilic exudates with or without blood eosinophilia.
Case Presentation:
This case study describes a 70-year-old man with recurrent episodes of eosinophilic transudative pleural effusions associated with sodium valproate treatment. The recurrence of effusion after re-administration of the drug is strongly suggestive of an association between them. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case with a pleural effusion with these characteristics caused by sodium valproate.
Conclusion:
This is the first report in the literature, with a full understanding of the etiology but with an unknown drug mechanism. This case report is of interest to different medical specialists (such as pulmonologists, neurologists, cardiologists) and pharmacologists.
Related Concept Videos
Pleural Effusion I: Introduction
There are two main types of pleural effusion: transudative and exudative. They are differentiated using Light's criteria,...
Pleural Effusion II: Symptoms and Management
A pleural effusion is the abnormal collection of fluid between the parietal and visceral pleura layers of tissue that form the lining of the lungs and chest cavity. It can occur independently or due to surrounding parenchymal diseases, such as infection, malignancy, or inflammatory conditions.
Clinical Manifestations:
Pneumothorax-II
Clinical Manifestations:
Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology
Pulmonary Edema II: Pathophysiology
Pleural Disorders: Types and Brief Description
