[Tuberculous pleuritis with onset of refractory pleural effusion after chemoradiotherapy for esophageal cancer].

ABSTRACT

A 75-year-old man received chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for stage IVa esophageal cancer and complete response (CR) was obtained. However, he was referred to our department for recurrence in an area of esophagus not included in the previously irradiated field. Left pleural effusion increased after admission. Tuberculous pleuritis was eventually diagnosed by thoracoscopic pleural biopsy. It is necessary to accurately diagnose the cause of pleural effusion after CRT, because treatment strategies greatly depend on it. It is also necessary to consider the possible onset of tuberculous pleuritis, in particular, in patients with a history of tuberculosis infection.