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Pleural effusion in sarcoidosis: a case report
A Tommasini1, G Di Vittorio, F Facchinetti
1Divisione Pneumotisiologica, ULSS 21, O.C. di Padova, Italy.
Sarcoidosis
|September 1, 1994
Summary
Pleural effusion is a rare complication of sarcoidosis, occurring in only 0.16% of patients. This study highlights a case and confirms the low prevalence of pleural involvement in sarcoidosis.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Internal Medicine
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Sarcoidosis is a multisystem inflammatory disease.
- Pleural effusion can be a manifestation of sarcoidosis, but its prevalence is not well-established.
- This study investigates the occurrence of pleural effusion in sarcoidosis patients.
Observation:
- A 57-year-old male with a history of sarcoidosis developed right-sided exudative pleural effusion.
- The patient presented with dyspnea and pulmonary infiltrates.
- Pleural biopsy confirmed non-caseating granulomas consistent with sarcoidosis.
Findings:
- The pleural effusion resolved after a one-month course of high-dose steroids.
- A retrospective analysis of 624 sarcoidosis patients revealed only one case with pleural effusion and biopsy-proven sarcoidosis.
- The prevalence of pleural effusion in this cohort was 0.16%.
Implications:
- Pleural effusion is a rare complication of sarcoidosis.
- Early diagnosis and treatment with corticosteroids can lead to resolution and prevent recurrence.
- This finding underscores the importance of considering sarcoidosis in the differential diagnosis of pleural effusion, albeit infrequently.