Cholesterol pleural effusion.

Cholesterol pleural effusion is a rather rare condition. It has been called by several names-cholesterol pleurisy, cholesterolthorax, cholesterous effusion, and cholesterol pleural effusion; the latter name appears to be the best. It is a pleural effusion with cholesterol crystals in the fluid. Only 44 cases were reported in the literature up to 1929. Since then there have been 15 cases reported. The first detailed description of a case was given by T. Churton1 in 1882. The most recent description was by Curran2 in 1948. The etiology remains rather obscure, but there are many theories concerning its occurrence. The fact remains that although the process of chronic pleural effusions is common, deposits of cholesterol crystals in pleural effusions are rarely encountered. The following is the case reported: