A Rare Case of Pulmonary Carcinosarcoma with Unusual Presentation: A Diagnostic Dilemma

Pulmonary carcinosarcoma is a rare malignancy of the lung and has poor prognosis than non-small cell lung cancer. Effective treatment has not been developed for non-resect able advanced stage. We report a case in a 51-year-old female who presented with a right sided massive pleural effusion. Pleural biopsy tissue histology and immunohistochemistry revealed carcinosarcoma.

Massive Pleural Effusion as a Rare Manifestation in Severe Neonatal Sepsis

BACKGROUND: Neonatal sepsis can be severe and has mortality rate. The pleural effusion is a rare sign of severe sepsis in newborn and only few studies that reported it. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of newborn who referred to our hospital because of dependent mechanical ventilator and severe sepsis. We found a massive pleural effusion and did the pleural drainage. After the drainage, the baby was extubate and discharge well with no signs of respiratory distress. CONCLUSION: Massive pleural effusion might be considered as a cause of dependent ventilator in severe neonatal sepsis.

Actinomycosis presenting as an isolated pleural effusion in a patient with an HIV infection: a case report and literature review

Background Thoracic actinomycosis is an uncommon, chronic, and progressive infection, especially in patients with HIV. We report a case of thoracic actinomycosis presenting as an isolated pleural effusion in a patient with an HIV infection. Case presentation A 68-year-old patient with progressive dyspnea and fever was admitted. On the right side, an ipsilateral massive pleural effusion was confirmed on the chest radiograph, and an HIV infection was newly diagnosed. A pleural biopsy was performed for the further differential diagnosis of potential opportunistic infections and malignancies. The pathology findings were consistent with actinomycosis. Conclusions Active diagnostic approaches such as a pleural biopsy should be considered for indeterminate pleural effusions in immunocompromised patients.

A Pyogenic Liver Abscess Leading to Massive Pleural Effusion: A Case Report

Pyogenic liver abscesses are common in tropical developing countries. They are typically present with right and upper abdominal pain; nevertheless, occasionally, we encounter atypical presentations. Here we present a rare case of complicated large liver abscesses caused by Klebsiella pneumonia, which manifests in massive pleural effusion in a young, healthy gentleman. The patient stayed ten days in the hospital for drainage and to receive appropriate antibiotics.

Detecting jellyfish sign in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus: An added value of the echocardiography

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that affects nearly every organ of the body. Cardiopulmonary manifestations are common in SLE, almost in the form of serositis, and include pleural and pericardial effusions. In these patients, echocardiography is an excellent non-invasive tool for detecting pericardial effusion and may provide a hint about pleural effusion. We report the case of a 20-year-old woman with SLE who had been experiencing dyspnea for 1 month and had no prior history of cardiovascular or pulmonary disease. A rheumatologist referred her to our echocardiography lab for a cardiac evaluation. In the echocardiographic examination, pleural mass depended from the left visceral pleura was discovered, surrounded by massive pleural effusion that induced left lung atelectasis (Jellyfish sign, and complete atelectasis of a lung lobe floats above a massive pleural effusion).

Recurrent pleural effusion in patient with liver cirrhosis – a case report

Liver cirrhosis is caused by necrosis of liver cells leading to fibrosis and nodule formation. Structural abnormalities of the liver causing impaired hepatocyte function and portal hypertension. Hepatic hydrothorax is a less common pulmonary complication of portal hypertension. We present a 47 years old man with liver cirrhosis and recurrent massive pleural effusion. Diagnosis can be challenging because it can be associated with pulmonary or systemic disorders. Pleural fluid analysis is necessary to differentiate transudate or exudate as the cause of pleural effusion. Thoracentesis is done to reduce the complaints experienced by the patient.