Recurrent Right-side Pleural Effusion Mimicking Malignancy: Pseudo-Meig’s Syndrome

Abstract

Pseudo-Meig’s syndrome is an unusual presentation in which a benign ovarian tumour develops with ascites and pleural effusion. Diagnosis of exclusion is made only after ovarian fibroma has been ruled out and confirmed by disappearance of pleural effusion. The present case report is of a 55-year-old female, who presented with progressive shortness of breath, on and off right chest pain, and abdominal distension, over a period of 2-3 months. Clinical examination and a chest radiograph confirmed pleural effusion as the cause of progressive dyspnea. Presence of a pelvic mass and an elevated serum Cancer Antigen-125 (CA-125) increased the probability of malignancy. After complete tumour resection, a pathological report confirmed a benign ovarian tumour. The authors highlight the importance of suspicion, careful general examination, radiological evaluation, and histologic examination to confirm the diagnosis of pseudo-Meig’s syndrome.

Keywords

• pseudo-meig’s syndrome
• ovarian fibroma
• cancer antigen 125
• struma ovarii