The problem of empyematous pleural effusion in rheumatoid arthritis: report of two cases and review of the literature

Two patients with rheumatoid arthritis and empyematous pleural effusion were treated with repeated drainage and intrapleural corticosteroids. One patient with active joint disease improved within 3 months without sequelae, probably because of the systemic therapy. The other patient, with non-active...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Clinical rheumatology 2002-05, Vol.21 (2), p.180-183
Main Authors: Yigla, M, Simsolo, C, Goralnik, L, Balabir-German, A, Nahir, A Menahem
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adrenal Cortex Hormones - administration & dosage
Arthritis, Rheumatoid - complications
Arthritis, Rheumatoid - diagnosis
Arthritis, Rheumatoid - therapy
Blood Chemical Analysis
Combined Modality Therapy
Drainage - methods
Empyema - complications
Empyema - diagnosis
Empyema - therapy
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Injections, Intralesional
Medical diagnosis
Middle Aged
Pediatrics
Pleural Effusion - etiology
Respiratory Function Tests
Rheumatoid arthritis
Risk Assessment
Severity of Illness Index
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Treatment Outcome
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Summary:Two patients with rheumatoid arthritis and empyematous pleural effusion were treated with repeated drainage and intrapleural corticosteroids. One patient with active joint disease improved within 3 months without sequelae, probably because of the systemic therapy. The other patient, with non-active joint disease, had persistent pleural effusion which resulted in pleural thickening and symptomatic restrictive disturbance. It appears that early intervention intended to prevent the accumulation of empyematous pleural effusion could also prevent pleural thickening and fibrosis. Therapeutic options are discussed.
ISSN:0770-3198
1434-9949
DOI:10.1007/s10067-002-8279-2