Three cases of black pleural effusion

Christine Del Prado-Rico; Ryan Hayes; Nada Mohamed; Rachel Leonard; Kyle Chapman

doi:10.1016/j.rmcr.2023.101874

Three cases of black pleural effusion

Respir Med Case Rep. 2023 May 21:44:101874. doi: 10.1016/j.rmcr.2023.101874. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Christine Del Prado-Rico¹, Ryan Hayes², Nada Mohamed¹, Rachel Leonard¹, Kyle Chapman¹

Affiliations

¹ Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, West Virginia University, USA.
² School of Medicine, West Virginia University, USA.

Abstract

Black pleural effusions (BPE) are rare, exudative pleural effusions that produce a black fluid on thoracentesis. While the name and definition of this pathology is undeniably simple, the etiologies, outcomes, and treatments for BPE are incredibly complex. Currently, BPE is not well-demonstrated in the literature. This case series reports three patients with different etiologies, past medical histories, presenting symptoms, treatments, and outcomes. BPE caused by pancreatic-pleural fistula and opportunistic infections are demonstrated in this case series. This report shows that early identification and treatment of the underlying cause of BPE is critical to the recovery of the patients.

Keywords: Empyema; Esophageal rupture; Pancreatic pseudocyst; Pancreaticopleural fistula; Pleural disease; Pleural effusion; Pleural infection.

Publication types

Case Reports