Gelatinous pleural effusion in advanced lung adenocarcinoma: a case report.

Background: Gelatinous pleural effusions, a rare subtype of exudative effusions with elevated viscosity due to high hyaluronic acid levels, are often associated with malignancies, particularly malignant pleural mesothelioma and some metastatic cancers. Such effusions present unique challenges in both diagnosis and management due to their thickness, which complicates drainage using standard techniques. This case highlights the clinical significance of recognizing unusual pleural fluid characteristics and employing advanced drainage interventions, particularly in metastatic lung adenocarcinoma.