[Pleural amyloidosis. Apropos of a case and review of the literature]. / Amylose pleurale. A propos d'un cas et revue de la littérature.

ABSTRACT

The main respiratory manifestations of amylosis are tracheobronchial involvement and modular or diffuse parenchymal disease. Amyloid deposits in the pleura are exceptional. We observed transsudative pleural effusion and heart failure in a patient with multiple myeloma, leading to the discovery of pleural amylosis. Amyloid deposits in the pleura may be fortuitous discoveries since pleural effusion is not necessarily observed. It is however important to be aware of this possibility since the localization is easily accessible for diagnosis. Specific stains are effective diagnostic tools even for transsudative effusions, particularly in suggestive clinical conditions such as multiple myeloma.