Work

Lung Entrapment Secondary to Loculated Rheumatoid Effusions Treated With Alteplase and Dornase

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Rheumatoid arthritis is a multisystemic inflammatory disease that can involve the respiratory system, including the pleural space. Most rheumatoid pleural effusions (PE) are incidentally found and do not require any treatment. Very rarely, however, they can become symptomatic and loculated, leading to lung entrapment or trapped lung. Surgical decortication remains the mainstay of management in such circumstances, although recent studies showed comparable efficacy of intrapleural fibrinolytics (alteplase and dornase alfa) in non-rheumatoid complicated effusions. We present a case of rheumatoid PE leading to lung entrapment successfully treated with intrapleural fibrinolytics without complications and good clinical status at six-month follow-up.

Source: Cureus

DOI: 10.7759/cureus.66635

Authors: Sagar Kumar, Huma Akta, Davis Weidow, Matthew Clukies, Ji Young Lee

Institution: University of South Alabama

Language: English

Topic: Pleural and Pulmonary Diseases

Subfield: Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W4401494205