Aklog Almaw Yigzaw¹, Binyam Melese Getahun², Mulugeta Wondmu Kedimu³, Metages Damtie Melaku⁴, Menelik Tarekegn Dagne⁵, Yoseph Gebremedhin Kassie⁶

¹Debre Tabor University, Assistant professor of Internal Medicine; Email: aklogalmaw@dtu.edu.et

²Debre Tabor Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, MD, Internist; Email: Biny2029@gmail.com

³Debre Tabor University, Assistant professor of General Surgery; Email: a.mulie469@gmail.com

⁴Debre Tabor University, Assistant professor of Internal Medicine; Email: metagesdamtie27@gmail.com

⁵Noble Clinic, MD; Email:mdmenelik1982@gmail.com

⁶Debre Tabor Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, MD, Internist; Email: yosephgkm@gmail.com

*Corresponding Author: Yoseph Gebremedhin Kassie, Debre Tabor Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, MD, Internist; Email: yosephgkm@gmail.com

Citation: Aklog Almaw Yigzaw, Binyam Melese Getahun, Mulugeta Wondmu Kedimu, Metages Damtie Melaku, Menelik Tarekegn Dagne, Yoseph Gebremedhin Kassie (2024). Unilateral Massive Pleural Effusion Occupying the whole Hemithorax Due to Tuberculosis; a Rare form of Pleural Tuberculosis: a Case Report. American J Case Rep Clin Imag. 2024; 1(1)1-4.

Copyrights © 2024, Yoseph Gebremedhin Kassie, et al. This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial-4.0-International-License-(CCBY-NC) (https://americanjournalofcasereports.com/blogpage/copyright-policy). Usage and distribution for commercial purposes require written permission.

Abstract

Introduction: Tuberculous pleural effusions are usually unilateral, small to moderate in size, usually occupying less than two-thirds of the hemithorax. Massive pleural effusion as a result of tuberculosis is rare.

Case presentation: A-65-year-old male patient from Ethiopia came with a four-month history of productive cough and constitutional symptoms. Physical examination showed malnourished patient with evidence of massive left side pleural effusion; sputum Gene X-pert was positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Chest X-ray demonstrated massive left side pleural effusion occupying the whole left hemithorax with trachea shifted to the right. Pleural fluid analysis was remarkable for lymphocytic effusion with a high protein and a negative cytology for malignant cells upon repeated testing.

Conclusion: Massive pleural effusion as a result of tuberculosis is a rare presenting way of pleural tuberculosis. Delay in diagnosis leads to catastrophic complications with significant morbidity and mortality.