Yellow nail syndrome: complete triad with pleural protein turnover studies.

Lymphedema, pleural effusions, and yellow nails constitute the yellow nail syndrome, which commonly is associated with chronic lower respiratory infections and sinusitis. Of 50 cases reported, only 13 have had the complete triad; we report another. The patient has a history of bronchiectasis, bilateral leg lymphedema, and yellow nails since 1952, with recurrent effusions since 1953. She has other conditions which are reported in high frequency with the syndrome, including sinusitis, thyroiditis, and malignancy. An albumin turnover rate was determined on the pleural effusion by a radioactive tracer method.