Thoracic and pulmonary abnormalities in multiple myeloma. A review of 958 cases

Arch Intern Med. 1978 May;138(5):727-30.

Abstract

Review of the records of 958 patients with multiple myeloma disclosed thoracic skeletal or pleuropulmonary abnormalities or both in 443 patients (46%). The abnormalities were an initial finding on 25% of the chest roentgenograms. The most common finding, exclusive of plasmacytomas, was thoracic skeletal abnormality in 28% (the initial finding in 15%)--osteolytic lesions being the most frequent abnormality. Localized or diffuse pulmonary infiltrates, most often caused by infections, were present in 10%. Four patients had a diffuse infiltrate thought to be caused by a plasma cell infiltrate (proven in one). In 113 patients, plasmacytomas were seen (intramedullary 102, extramedullary 11)--as an initial finding in 8%. Fifty-eight patients (6%) had pleural effusions. Eight patients with pleural effusion caused by myeloma are added to the eight cases reported in the literature.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Lung / pathology*
  • Multiple Myeloma / pathology*
  • Plasmacytoma / pathology
  • Pleural Effusion
  • Ribs / pathology
  • Thorax / pathology*