PMC2810472_01
Chest radiography and CT scan of the chest showing bilateral pleural effusions.
CRM2009-635309.001.jpg
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fig1
CBC and differential eighteen months prior to admission. CT scan showed bilateral pleural effusions, generalized lymphadenopathy, ascites, and splenomegaly (Figure 1).
The effect of treatment on the absolute eosinophil count (AEC) in peripheral blood. Eosinophilia normalizes with hydroxycarbamide plus prednisone. Total pleural fluid removed each week was unaltered by treatment adequate to normalize peripheral eosinophil counts.
CRM2009-635309.002.jpg
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fig2
A permanent catheter was placed in the right pleural space and accessed for thoracentesis of about two liters every three to five days along with repeated large volume paracentesis for persistent ascites.Figure 2 shows that despite normalization of the patient's peripheral eosinophilia, his pleural effusions remained refractory to therapy.