30 December 2015 : Case report
Pleural Small Cell Lung Carcinoma: An Unusual Culprit in Pleural Effusion
Challenging differential diagnosis, Rare disease, Educational Purpose (only if useful for a systematic review or synthesis)
Oluwaseyi D. AdejorinEF, Amik SodhiEF, Felicia A. HareBEF, Arthur S. HeadleyEF, Luis C. MurilloEF, Dipen KadariaBEFGDOI: 10.12659/AJCR.895276
Am J Case Rep 2015; 16:912-915
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) usually presents as lung or mediastinal lesions. It is very rare for SCLC to present primarily as an isolated pleural effusion with no lung or mediastinal lesions.
CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 77-year-old white male with a 60-pack year history of smoking, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (stage IV), and asbestos exposure who presented with shortness of breath and left lateral chest pain for 7 days. On physical examination, he was very short of breath, with a prolonged expiratory phase on chest auscultation. Laboratory results were normal except for leukocytosis and chest radiograph revealing left-sided pleural effusion. Computerized tomography (CT) scanning of the chest with IV contrast showed left-sided pleural effusion without any lung or mediastinal lesions. Thoracentesis was performed and fluid was sent for analysis. Repeat CT chest/abdomen/pelvis, done immediately following thoracocentesis, did not show any masses or lymphadenopathy. Fluid analysis, including cytology and immunostain pattern, was consistent with small cell carcinoma.
CONCLUSIONS: Small cell lung cancer presenting as an isolated pleural effusion is extremely rare. It requires close attention to cytology and immunohistochemistry of pleural fluid samples. It also has implications for management and should be managed as limited-stage SCLC.
Keywords: Diagnosis, Differential, Pleural Effusion, Malignant - etiology, Pleural Neoplasms - diagnosis, Small Cell Lung Carcinoma - diagnosis, thoracentesis, Tomography, X-Ray Computed
In Press
12 Feb 2024 : Case report
Diagnostic Challenges and Imaging Considerations for Intraparotid Facial Nerve Schwannoma: A Case Report an...Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.942870
12 Feb 2024 : Case report
Erdheim-Chester Disease Occult on Radiographs and CT but Visible on MRI and PETAm J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.941169
12 Feb 2024 : Case report
Surgical Treatment of Spontaneous Superficial Temporal Artery Arteriovenous Malformation: A Case ReportAm J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.942839
13 Feb 2024 : Case report
Warfarin Woes: A Rare Case of Hemoperitoneum with Intramural Small Bowel HematomaAm J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.943519
Most Viewed Current Articles
10 Jan 2022 : Case report
A Report on the First 7 Sequential Patients Treated Within the C-Reactive Protein Apheresis in COVID (CACOV...DOI :10.12659/AJCR.935263
Am J Case Rep 2022; 23:e935263
19 Jul 2022 : Case report
Atlantoaxial Subluxation Secondary to SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Rare Orthopedic Complication from COVID-19DOI :10.12659/AJCR.936128
Am J Case Rep 2022; 23:e936128
05 Mar 2022 : Case report
Acute Limb Ischemia After Self-Injection of Crushed Morphine Tablets into the Radial Artery: Role of Infrar...DOI :10.12659/AJCR.935336
Am J Case Rep 2022; 23:e935336
02 Apr 2022 : Case report
Infective Endocarditis Caused by Pseudomonas luteola in a Pediatric Patient. A Case Report and Review of Li...DOI :10.12659/AJCR.935743
Am J Case Rep 2022; 23:e935743