Thoracoscopy under local anesthesia was useful for diagnosing yellow nail syndrome

Abstract

An 80-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis and a past history of tuberculosis presented with exertional dyspnea and edema of both legs. Chest X-ray performed on admission showed bilateral pleural effusion. Thoracoscopy under local anesthesia was performed and vasodilation and non-specific yellowish inflammatory changes were noted in the pleura. A pathological examination showed chronic fibrosing pleuritis in addition to chronic pleural inflammatory changes with lymphoid aggregates. The nails on all fingers and toes were thickened and displayed yellow discoloration and the edema was resistant to diuretics. Lymphoscintigraphy was conducted which showed lymphatic drainage abnormalities. The patient was ultimately diagnosed as having yellow nail syndrome.