Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 13, 2026

A Pleural Effusion Model in Rats by Intratracheal Instillation of Polyacrylate/Nanosilica
Published on: April 12, 2019
Pleural and pericardial effusion in a patient with polymyalgia rheumatica: a case presentation
Elena Sánchez Ruiz-Granados1, Matilde del Castillo Madrigal, Manuel Jesús Romero Jiménez
1Departamento de Medicina Interna, Hospital Infanta Elena, Huelva, España.
Abstract:
Polymyalgia rheumatica is an inflammatory rheumatic disease that presents with bilateral pain and stiffness affecting mainly proximal muscles. It affects individuals over 50 years of age and it is usually associated with a raised erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Classically, treatment with low-dose corticosteroids results in a dramatic improvement in both symptoms and laboratory findings. We report the case of an 80 years old patient presenting polymyalgia rheumatica coinciding with pleuropericardial effusion. The patient had a very good response to treatment with rapid improvement in the symptomatology and laboratory findings. Polymyalgia Rheumatica is a common disease but it is rarely associated to pleuropericardial effusion. It should be considered in the differential diagnostic in patients presenting with pericardial effusion over 50 of age years due to the good response to treatment.
Related Concept Videos
Pericarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests
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:
Pericarditis III: Medical Management
Pericarditis I: Introduction
Pericarditis IV: Nursing Management