Pleural exudate positive for paraprotein and free light chains as a very first sign of multiple myeloma
Abstract
Objective: To describe a patient with pleural exudate in multiple myeloma and to show the importance of the examination of protein electrophoresis and free light chains (FLC) in the pleural effusion. Design: Case report.
Settings: Department of Medical Chemistry and Clinical Biochemistry, University Hospital Motol, Charles University, Second Faculty of Medicine, V Úvalu 84, 150 06 Prague 5 (Czech Republic). Material and Methods: Case report description.
Results: The paper describes a patient with multiple myeloma (IgG Lambda type) with pleural exudate, but without typical symptoms of multiple myeloma. There were found only paraprotein and elevation of FLC in serum, urine and pleural effusion, slightly increased serum β-2-microglobulin and lactate dehydrogenase.
Diagnosis of multiple myeloma was confirmed by bone marrow biopsy. Conclusion: This case highlights the differential diagnostic significance of paraprotein and FLC examination in pleural effusion of unclear aetiology.