Atypical presentation of rheumatoid arthritis: a case of massive bilateral pleural effusions in a patient with Caplan syndrome.

ABSTRACT

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common connective tissue disorder affecting the synovial joints. In patients with RA, involvement of the lungs occurs in 30%-40% of cases while pleural effusions occur in only 3%-5%. However, the majority of RA-associated pleural effusions are small, unilateral and asymptomatic. We present a case of massive bilateral pleural effusions in a patient with established rheumatoid pneumoconiosis (Caplan syndrome). Interestingly, the pleural effusion occurred following recent treatment for minimal change disease and atrial fibrillation.