Primary Effusion Lymphoma-like Lymphoma Mimicking Tuberculous Pleural Effusion: Three Case Reports and a Literature Review

Primary effusion lymphoma-like lymphoma (PEL-LL) is a rare lymphoma, localized in the body cavity without detectable tumor masses. Tuberculous pleural effusion is a form of extra pulmonary tuberculous. We herein report three cases of PEL-LL in patients with a history of pulmonary tuberculosis. Despite the presentation with lymphocyte predominance and high levels of adenosine deaminase, a notable characteristic of tuberculous pleural effusion, the patients were ultimately diagnosed with PEL-LL. Pleural fluid laboratory tests yield similar results for PEL-LL and tuberculous pleural effusion; therefore, cytological and immunophenotyping examinations are useful for their differential diagnosis and the determination of treatment.