[A rare cause of haemorrhagic pleurisy: Dissection of the aorta].

INTRODUCTION

Haemorragic pleurisy is fairly common. The etiology is dominated by tumors and tuberculosis. The rupture of intra-thoracic vessels into the pleural cavity is a much rarer cause and the diagnosis is often delayed.

OBSERVATION: A 77-year-old patient without previously known hypertension was hospitalized for investigation of a fluid density opacity occupying the entire left hemithorax. Thoracentesis revealed a non-coagulable haemorrhagic fluid. A computed tomography scan showed a Stanford type B aortic dissection. The patient was given anti-hypertensive treatment for one year.

CONCLUSIONS

Aortic dissection remains among the diagnoses to consider in the case of a haemorrhagic pleural effusion despite absence of the usual suggestive symptoms.