Myelomatous pleural effusion

Abstract

A 67-year-old woman of stage IIa IgA λ-type multiple myeloma (MM) was hospitalized because of progressive dyspnea for 1 month. Physical examination showed pallor and decreased breath sounds over the left lower lung field. Renal and cardiac systolic functions were normal by biochemistry studies and echocardiogram. A chest X-ray showed left pleural effusion (Figure 1). A diagnostic thoracocentesis was performed and revealed exudative effusion without microorganism. Microscopic examination showed many immature plasma cells (Figure 2), and immunohistochemical staining for …