An unusual case of a pleural effusion with an abdominal mass.

Preetam R. Acharya*, Rameshchandra Sahoo, Poornima Baliga

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

A 38-year-old man presented to us with a left sided pleural effusion. Pleural fluid was aspirated and analysis revealed it to be an exudate with predominant lymphocytes and an elevated ADA level. He was discharged on antituberculous treatment. Patient returned with re-accumulation of pleural fluid. Computed tomography done in our institute picked up not only parenchymal disease in the lung which was not evident on chest radiographs but also picked up an abdominal mass in the left renal fossa. Pathological examination of excised mass revealed its tuberculous nature. The repeated recollection of pleural fluid was attributed to a "paradoxical response"; the patient was reassured and his anti-tuberculous treatment continued. Recognition of the fact that evidence of tuberculosis at distant sites may occasionally be needed to substantiate the diagnosis of tuberculous pleural effusion in a difficult and bacteriologically "negative" case prompted us to report this case.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)153-156
Number of pages4
JournalThe Indian journal of tuberculosis
Volume55
Issue number3
Publication statusPublished - 07-2008

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Medicine
  • Infectious Diseases

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