Intractable pleural effusion in Kaposi sarcoma following antiretroviral therapy in a Caucasian female infected with HIV

BMJ Case Rep. 2020 Feb 28;13(2):e233335. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2019-233335.

Abstract

We report the case of a 57-year-old Caucasian woman with AIDS-related disseminated Kaposi sarcoma (KS) characterised by the combination of several unusual features. The chylous nature of the pleural effusions, the documented parietal pleural involvement at thoracoscopy and the marked clinical worsening through an immune reconstitution syndrome following antiretroviral therapy initiation represent several rare situations that occurred in the same female patient. In addition, the use of indwelling pleural catheters for dyspnoea palliation also represents a rare therapeutic intervention. This case is a reminder of the possibility of AIDS-related pleural KS, now uncommon in the era of antiretroviral therapy.

Keywords: HIV / AIDS; malignant disease and immunosuppression; palliative procedures.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / complications*
  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / drug therapy*
  • Anti-Retroviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Catheters, Indwelling
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Pleural Effusion / etiology*
  • Pleural Effusion / therapy*
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / complications*
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / drug therapy*

Substances

  • Anti-Retroviral Agents

Supplementary concepts

  • AIDS-related Kaposi sarcoma