Churg Strauss Syndrome presenting as an Eosinophilic Pleural Effusion

Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS) is a rare form of systemic vasculitis affecting themedium to small sized vessels. The diagnosis of this disease is based mainly on clinical grounds; comprising of asthma, peripheral blood and tissue eosinophilia, rhinosinusitis and signs of vasculitis in major organs. A 48 year old female patient on treatment for bronchial asthma, presented with a bilateral pleural effusion. The analysis of the fluid revealed an eosinophilic exudate (67%). The additional investigations revealed a raised Immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels and p-ANCA positivity. The presentation of CSS as eosinophilia in body fluids is rare and may herald the onset of the vasculitic phase of the disease.