Bilateral myelomatous pleural effusions: an unusual presentation in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma.

ABSTRACT

Multiple myeloma is a rare haematological malignancy characterised by the clonal proliferation of plasma cells within the bone marrow. Typical manifestations include bone pain, fatigue and monoclonal protein elevation in serum and urine. Less than 1% of cases develop myelomatous pleural effusion, a severe complication indicative of advanced disease and a very poor prognosis.Here, we present a case of a woman with a new diagnosis of multiple myeloma complicated by bilateral myelomatous pleural effusions as the initial presentation. This case underscores the diverse clinical spectrum of multiple myeloma, the significance of timely diagnosis and the threatening implications associated with myelomatous pleural effusions.