A refractory pleural effusion caused by a pleural capillary hemangioma

Abstract

A 69-year-old man presented with a left pleural effusion. Even after repeated drainage, the pleural effusion had been increasing for more than two years. Thoracoscopy unexpectedly showed a pleural mass on the parietal pleura, and it was completely removed. The diagnosis was pleural capillary hemangioma, and the effusion has not recurred after the resection. Pleural hemangioma is one of the crucial differential diagnoses of refractory pleural effusion.

Keywords

• Capillary hemangioma
• Pleural effusion
• Refractory
• Nonspecific pleuritis