RECURRENT PLEURAL EFFUSION IN PRIMARY SYSTEMIC AMYLOIDOSIS – A RARE MANIFESTATION OF A RARE DISEASE

Amyloidosis is a clinical disorder caused by extracellular and/or intracellular deposition of insoluble abnormal amyloid fibrils that alter the normal function of the tissues. Their clinical presentations consists of peripheral neuropathy, hepatomegaly, nephrotic syndrome, restrictive cardiomyopathy, purpura and other skin manifestations, bleeding diathesis and pleural effusion. Kidneys are the most common organs affected by primary amyloidosis. They present with swelling over ankles, feet, legs, fatigue, shortness of breath, weight loss, numbness in hand and feet but rarely present with unilateral significant pleural effusion. Similarly, we report a 58 years old male who presented with generalised weakness and fatiguability, lower limb edema and shortness of breath on exertion. Patient after being diagnosed as renal amyloidosis, was discharged and on follow up presented with unilateral left sided significant pleural effusion.