Rheumatoid arthritis associated recurrent pleural effusion

Pleural effusions and pulmonary nodules are known complications of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) though pleural extra-articular manifestations without clinical arthritis are rare. We present a 66-year-old male with dyspnea and weight loss, whose imaging revealed pleural effusions and lung nodules, multiple exudative pleural effusions, and a thoracoscopic biopsy showing chronic pleuritis and granulomatous inflammation. Subsequent joint stiffness and positive rheumatoid markers led to a RA diagnosis. Patient received prednisone and methotrexate, leading to symptomatic improvement but with recurrent pleural effusions, requiring regular thoracenteses. RA can cause pleural effusions and lung nodules without arthritis necessitating advanced treatments for persistent effusions.