This report is based on cytologic analysis of pleural fluid of a 52 year old man who came to hospital with non specific complaints of weakness, lethargy and pleuritic chest pain on the right side. X-ray chest showed right sided pleural effusion. Montoux test was negative and so were the three consecutive sputum samples for AFB. Thoracocentesis was done, which showed blood-tinged fluid with elevated protein. Cytology showed abnormal plasma cells with multinucleated forms. Pleural biopsy was negative. Further careful examination revealed one very small supra-clavicular lymph node less then 0.5 cm. in size. Biopsy of this lymph node was done and it showed abnormal plasmacytoid cells and the diagnosis of plasmacytoma was confirmed.

Key words : plasmacytoma, pleural effusion, lymph node