Affiliation:
1. Department of Clinical Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad
2. Department of Adult Medicine, San Fernando General Hospital, South West Regional Health Authority, Trinidad
Abstract
A 34-year-old woman presented with a 3-day history of dyspnea. She denied any preceding fever, night sweats, cough, pleurisy, or coryzal symptoms. She was maintained on sodium valproate 800 mg b.i.d., phenytoin 100 mg o.d., folate 5 mg o.d., and clonazepam 2 mg nocte for a known seizure disorder. Clinical examination and radiologic imaging revealed a large left-sided pleural effusion with the associated collapse of the left lower lung lobe. A chest tube was inserted for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes and ≈500 mls of serous fluid was drained. The pleural fluid analysis confirmed an exudative pleural effusion. Extensive evaluation excluded known causes of exudative pleural effusion, and a diagnosis of sodium valproate-induced pleural effusion was made. Sodium valproate was tapered off and topiramate was added to the patient’s antiepileptic regimen. We recommend physicians be cognizant of sodium valproate-associated pleural effusion, even in the setting of chronic use.
Cited by
1 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献