A Case of Yellow Nail Syndrome Manifesting as Chronic Recurrent Pleural Effusion.

Noh, Se Hui; Park, Gyung Min; Chun, Yoon Hee; Kim, Sun Young; Roh, Jae Hyung; Park, Tai Sun; Kim, Woo Sung

doi:2009.67.6.565

Tuberc Respir Dis > Volume 67(6); 2009 > Article

Case Report

Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases 2009;67(6):565-568.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4046/trd.2009.67.6.565 Published online December 1, 2009.

A Case of Yellow Nail Syndrome Manifesting as Chronic Recurrent Pleural Effusion.

Se Hui Noh, Gyung Min Park, Yoon Hee Chun, Sun Young Kim, Jae Hyung Roh, Tai Sun Park, Woo Sung Kim

Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. wskim2@amc.seoul.kr

Abstract

Yellow nail syndrome is a rare cause of pleural effusions. This syndrome is characterized by yellow discoloration of nails, lymphedema, and respiratory disorders, including pleural effusion, chronic bronchitis, bronchiectasis, and chronic sinusitis. The etiology of this syndrome is obscure, but the pathogenesis seems to be related with impaired lymphatic drainage. We report a case of yellow nail syndrome in a 70-year-old female with the typical clinical findings (yellow discoloration of nails, lymphedema, and chronic pleural effusion) of this disorder and with proven lymphatic obstruction on lymphoscintigraphy.

Key Words: Pleural Effusion, Yellow Nail Syndrome, Lymphedema