The association between heart failure and phantom tumor has been well known for years. Because drainage mechanism exists in parietal pleura, phantom tumors generally localize between fissures. Loculated transudate in peripheral lung areas is extremely rare. We present an interesting case of encapsulated transudative pleural effusion associated with pneumonia. The pleural fissures, formed by a double layer of visceral pleura, represent extensions of the pleural space between lobes of the lungs. Localized transudative effusion between fissures, known as phantom tumor or vanishing tumor, can be seen during fluid overload. Because most pleural fluid drainage occurs through parietal pleural lymphatics , effusions tend to localize in visceral site rather than parietal pleura. We found only two reports of loculated transudates in peripheral lung regions . Encapsulated transudative effusion was affected right upper region in one paper and in our patient. The predilection of this area may be due to higher negativity in the intrapleural pressure or pleural adhesions caused by repeated thoracentesis. In conclusion, loculated transudate strongly suggests an unstable cardiac event, and it can present with atypical localization.

The association between heart failure and phantom tumor has been well known for years. Because drainage mechanism exists in parietal pleura, phantom tumors generally localize between fissures. Loculated transudate in peripheral lung areas is extremely rare. We present an interesting case of encapsulated transudative pleural effusion associated with pneumonia. The pleural fissures, formed by a double layer of visceral pleura, represent extensions of the pleural space between lobes of the lungs. Localized transudative effusion between fissures, known as phantom tumor or vanishing tumor, can be seen during fluid overload. Because most pleural fluid drainage occurs through parietal pleural lymphatics , effusions tend to localize in visceral site rather than parietal pleura. We found only two reports of loculated transudates in peripheral lung regions .  Encapsulated transudative effusion was affected right upper region in one paper  and in our patient. The predilection of this area may be due to higher negativity in the intrapleural pressure or pleural adhesions caused by repeated thoracentesis. In conclusion, loculated transudate strongly suggests an unstable cardiac event, and it can present with atypical localization.