Myelomatous Pleural Effusion: A Rare Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

Multiple myeloma (MM) is typically characterized by the neoplastic proliferation of plasma cells producing a monoclonal immunoglobulin. Pleural effusion in MM is uncommon and usually caused by heart failure, pulmonary embolus, and nephrotic syndrome [Arch Intern Med. 1978;138(5):727–30; Chest. 1994;105(2):622–4]. Here, we report a case of myelomatous pleural effusion as part of the initial presentation of MM in a patient with the IgG-lambda subtype, which is extremely uncommon.

Keywords

• myeloma
• plasma cells
• pleural effusion