Open AccessPrimary malignant myelomatous pleural effusion
Author(s) -
Mangla Ankit,
Agarwal Nikki,
Kim George J.,
Catchatourian Rosalind
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
clinical case reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.21
H-Index - 9
ISSN - 2050-0904
DOI - 10.1002/ccr3.634
Subject(s) - medicine , pleural effusion , multiple myeloma , pathology , nucleolus , cytology , effusion , cytoplasm , plasma cell leukemia , flow cytometry , plasma cell , nucleus , immunology , surgery , biochemistry , chemistry , psychiatry
Key Clinical Message Primary malignant myelomatous pleural effusion (PMMPE) occurs in less than 1% of patients with multiple myeloma and is diagnosed either by visualization of plasma cells on cytology or by positive flow cytometry. The presence of immature plasma cells characterized by high nucleus to cytoplasm ratio, visible nucleolus and presence of Mott cells and Russell bodies are independent poor prognostic factors. The clinician should differentiate PMMPE from secondary pleural effusion as it is associated with a significantly worse prognosis and poor overall survival.