CHYLOTHORAX AS RARE MANIFESTATION OF PLEURAL INVOLVEMENT IN WALDENSTRÖM MACROGLOBULINEMIA: MECHANISMS AND MANAGEMENT

G Leoncini, CC Campisi, G Fraternali Orcioni, F Patrone, F Ferrando, Carol Campisi

Abstract


Here we report the clinical, pathological,
and immunological features of a rare case of
Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) with
pleural infiltrations. An atypical chylothorax,
successfully treated by videothoracoscopy,
represented the main clinical feature of this
case of low-grade lymphoplasmacytic
lymphoma. Pleuropulmonary manifestations
are rare (from 0 to 5% of cases) in WM, with
chylothorax observed in just seven patients
worldwide. In addition to describing this
uncommon clinical presentation, we investigate
hypothetical pathogenetic mechanisms
causing chylothorax and through an up-todate
review of available literature furnish
helpful suggestions for diagnosis and
management of chylothorax in WM patients.


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