Lymphocytic pleural exudate in a patient receiving amiodarone.

We present a patient who developed a unilateral, exudative pleural effusion without concomitant pulmonary parenchymal disease while being treated with amiodarone. Previous attempts to discontinue amiodarone therapy and substitute alternative antiarrhythmics resulted in recurrence of life-threatening arrhythmias. We chose to continue amiodarone and observe the response to a brief course of oral corticosteroids. The pleural effusion resolved quickly and had not recurred after 36 months of observation.