0.94 Images of memorable cases: case 105

105. contarini’s condition

The term used to indicate bilateral pleural effusions, each with markedly different characteristics and distinctly differentmechanisms. It honors Francesco Contarini (1556-1624), the 95th Doge of the Venetian Republic, whose autopsy showed right-sided hydrothorax consequent toheart failure and left-sided empyema presumably resulting from a lung abscess.

The radiograph and pleural fluids shown were from a man with malignant lymphoma that had infiltrated the pleura on the left, causinga bloody effusion, while simultaneously obstructing the thoracic duct on the right, causing a chylous effusion.