Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 25, 2026

Local Anesthetic Thoracoscopy for Undiagnosed Pleural Effusion
Published on: November 10, 2023
BCNU (Bis-chloroethylnitrosourea, Carmustine) Toxicity Presented as a Large Pleural Effusion 60 Days Post Autologous
Shelby N Dvorak1, Peter C Kurniali2
1Family Medicine, The Christ Hospital / University of Cincinnati Family Medicine Residency, Cincinnati, USA.
Abstract:
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a commonly encountered malignancy. Treatment for advanced stages commonly consists of chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplant. BCNU (bis-chloroethylnitrosourea, carmustine) is frequently used as part of the conditioning regimen for autologous stem cell transplant. BCNU is well known to cause pulmonary toxicity, but it is uncommon for pulmonary toxicity to present as a pleural effusion. In our case, a patient with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, particularly mantle cell lymphoma, was given BCNU prior to autologous stem cell transplant. The BCNU resulted in the patient developing large bilateral pleural effusions 60 days post transplant. Knowledge of this potential complication following BCNU use as well as proper treatment can help patients avoid excessive medical visits and tests.
Related Concept Videos
Pleural Effusion I: Introduction
There are two main types of pleural effusion: transudative and exudative. They are differentiated using Light's...
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:
Behavior of Gas Molecules: Molecular Diffusion, Mean Free Path, and Effusion
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Adult Stem Cells
Embryonic Stem Cells

