Respiratory failure due to a massive rheumatoid pleural effusion.

A patient with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and chronic obstructive lung disease was admitted with respiratory failure due to a massive pleural effusion. An extensive evaluation proved the effusion to be of rheumatoid origin. The effusion resolved with prednisone and penicillamine therapy. Although pleural effusions associated with RA are common, massive effusions are rare and respiratory failure from a rheumatoid pleural effusion has not been reported.