HISTORY AND CLINICAL FINDINGS: A 61-year-old man was transferred from a peripheral hospital with the diagnosis of interstitial lung disease and an unclear mediastinal tumour. At the time of admission the patient had congestive heart disease NYHA class IV. INVESTIGATIONS: The echocardiogram showed a small left ventricle with concentric hypertrophy and a left ventricular ejection fraction of 35 %. The myocardium was relatively echo-rich with solid structures inside. Chest X-ray showed a massive rightsided pleural effusion. The abdominal ultrasound demonstrated ascites and hepatomegaly. The bronchoalveolar lavage showed an increased part of CD3 negative and CD16/CD56 positive cells, which were identified as plasma cells by light and electron microscopy. Aspiration and investigation of the bone marrow verified the diagnosis of a IgG multiple myeloma, highly differentiated characterised by monoclonal expression of light-lambda chains. Additionally Bence-Jones-proteins were found in the urine and osteolysis in the x-ray of the skull and the humerus. DIAGNOSIS: Multiple myeloma, IgG-lambda, stage IIA. THERAPY AND CLINICAL COURSE: Chemotherapy with prednisolone and melphalan was initiated. His general condition increased after administration of the first cycle of chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: Cardiopulmonary involvement is seldom seen in multiple myeloma but should be excluded when clinical symptoms are present.
HISTORY AND CLINICAL FINDINGS: A 61-year-old man was transferred from a peripheral hospital with the diagnosis of interstitial lung disease and an unclear mediastinal tumour. At the time of admission the patient had congestive heart disease NYHA class IV. INVESTIGATIONS: The echocardiogram showed a small left ventricle with concentric hypertrophy and a left ventricular ejection fraction of 35 %. The myocardium was relatively echo-rich with solid structures inside. Chest X-ray showed a massive rightsided pleural effusion. The abdominal ultrasound demonstrated ascites and hepatomegaly. The bronchoalveolar lavage showed an increased part of CD3 negative and CD16/CD56 positive cells, which were identified as plasma cells by light and electron microscopy. Aspiration and investigation of the bone marrow verified the diagnosis of a IgG multiple myeloma, highly differentiated characterised by monoclonal expression of light-lambda chains. Additionally Bence-Jones-proteins were found in the urine and osteolysis in the x-ray of the skull and the humerus. DIAGNOSIS: Multiple myeloma, IgG-lambda, stage IIA. THERAPY AND CLINICAL COURSE: Chemotherapy with prednisolone and melphalan was initiated. His general condition increased after administration of the first cycle of chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: Cardiopulmonary involvement is seldom seen in multiple myeloma but should be excluded when clinical symptoms are present.