Control of pleural effusion with prednisolone in a patient with yellow nail syndrome: A case report

Taguchi,Manato; Masuko,Hironori; Kawashima,Kai; Yamagishi,Tetsuya; Kitaoka,Yuka; Shigemasa,Rie; Yoshida,Kazufumi; Tsurushige,Chikako; Satoh,Hiroaki; Hizawa,Nobuyuki

doi:10.3892/etm.2024.12512

Control of pleural effusion with prednisolone in a patient with yellow nail syndrome: A case report

Authors:
- Manato Taguchi
- Hironori Masuko
- Kai Kawashima
- Tetsuya Yamagishi
- Yuka Kitaoka
- Rie Shigemasa
- Kazufumi Yoshida
- Chikako Tsurushige
- Hiroaki Satoh
- Nobuyuki Hizawa
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Affiliations: Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305‑8576, Japan, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Moriya Daiichi General Hospital, Moriya, Ibaraki 302‑0102, Japan, Division of Respiratory Medicine, Mito Medical Center, University of Tsukuba‑Mito Kyodo General Hospital, Mito, Ibaraki 310‑0015, Japan
Published online on: March 22, 2024 https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2024.12512
Article Number: 224
Copyright: © Taguchi et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Yellow nail syndrome (YNS) can induce bilateral exudative pleural effusion; however, to the best of our knowledge, no standard treatment for YNS has been established. The present study describes a patient with YNS for whom the pleural effusion was controlled by prednisolone. A 73‑year‑old man was referred to the University of Tsukuba Hospital (Ibaraki, Japan) complaining of shortness of breath, which was diagnosed as being due to bilateral pleural effusion. Based on the presence of yellowing and growth retardation of the toenails, lymphedema, bilateral exudative pleural fluid of unknown etiology, and lymphatic congestion on lymphoscintigraphy, the patient was diagnosed with YNS. The pleural fluid was predominantly lymphocytic and responded to systemic steroid administration [prednisolone 30 mg/day (0.5 mg/kg) for 2 weeks, with subsequent weekly tapering]. The general condition of the patient and their dyspnea also improved with treatment. These findings indicated that systemic steroid administration should be considered as one of the treatment options for patients with YNS who are reluctant to undergo chest drainage or pleurodesis due to the potential for a decrease in their ability to perform daily activities and respiratory function.

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