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Updated: May 10, 2026
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Local Anesthetic Thoracoscopy for Undiagnosed Pleural Effusion
Published on: November 10, 2023
Pleural effusion: An unusual cause and association
Alam K Navaz1, Madhusudan P Raikar, Vishak Acharya
1Department of Medicine, KMC, Mangalore, India.
Lung India : Official Organ of Indian Chest Society
|June 7, 2013
Summary
This case study highlights a rare instance of Filarial pleural effusion, where microfilaria was identified in pleural fluid. This unusual presentation of Filaria infection also coincided with an incidental finding of malignancy.
Area of Science:
- Medical Parasitology
- Pulmonology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Filaria infections present with diverse clinical manifestations.
- Pulmonary involvement typically manifests as tropical pulmonary eosinophilia.
- Isolated Filarial pleural effusion is an exceptionally rare clinical finding.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a unique case of Filarial pleural effusion.
- To emphasize the unusual presentation of Filaria in the pleural space.
- To note the co-occurrence of Filaria with malignancy.
Main Methods:
- Case presentation of a patient with Filarial pleural effusion.
- Microscopic identification of microfilaria in pleural fluid.
- Diagnostic workup for co-existing conditions.
Main Results:
- Isolated pleural effusion was diagnosed as being of Filarial origin.
- Microfilaria was successfully isolated from the pleural fluid.
- An incidental association with malignancy was identified in the patient.
Conclusions:
- Filarial pleural effusion, though rare, should be considered in the differential diagnosis.
- Isolation of microfilaria from pleural fluid is a key diagnostic finding.
- The association of Filaria with malignancy warrants further investigation.
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