EOSINOPHILIC PLEURAL EFFUSION: A REVIEW WITH THE PRESENTATION OF SEVEN NEW CASES

Eosinophilic pleural effusion with high anti-DNA activity as a manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus

A patient, known to have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), presented with an eosinophilic pleural effusion. It is believed that SLE was the cause of her pleural effusion as increased levels of anti-DNA activity were found in the pleural fluid. Eosinophilic pleural effusion is a previosuly unreported observation in SLE patients (so far as the authors are aware), and the existence of increased anti-DNA activity in the pleural fluid may have value as an additional aid in the diagnosis of this disease.

Malignant lymphoma presenting with a high eosinophilia, eosinophilic pleurisy, and pericrditis

Two cases of malignant lymphoma with an unusually high eosinophilia are reported. The first patient presented with eosinophilic pleural effusion, developed eosinophilic pericarditis and tamponade, and was found at thoracotomy to have lymphosarcoma. The occurrence in malignant lymphoma of these uncommon features is briefly reviewed. The development of a pleurobronchial fistula is also described as an alarming complication of pleural paracentesis.