scholarly journals A Case of Haemorrhagic Constrictive Pericarditis with Bilateral Pleural Effusions

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Hans A. Reyes ◽  
Julie Islam ◽  
Soheila Talebi ◽  
Eder Cativo ◽  
Savi Mushiyev ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pericardial Effusion ◽  
Thoracoscopic Surgery ◽  
Young Female ◽  
Pleural Effusions ◽  
Pericardial Window ◽  
Pericardial Disease ◽  
Diffuse Abdominal Pain ◽  
Viral Aetiology ◽  
Initial Work ◽  
Work Up

Presentation of pericardial disease is diverse, with the viral aetiology being the most common cause; however, when haemorrhagic pericardial effusion is present, these causes are narrowed to few aetiologies. We present a case of a young female of African descent who presented with diffuse abdominal pain and vomiting. Initial work-up showed pericardial effusion with impending echocardiographic findings of cardiac tamponade and bilateral pleural effusions. Procedures included a left video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) with pericardial window. We consider that it is important for all physicians to be aware of not only typical presentation but also atypical and unusual clinical picture of pericardial disease.

The Diagnostic Value of Pericardial Fluid and Pericardial Biopsy: Single Center Experiences

2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 023 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mehmet Yildirim ◽  
Recep Ustaalioglu ◽  
Murat Erkan ◽  
Bala Basak Oven Ustaalioglu ◽  
Hatice Demirbag ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pericardial Effusion ◽  
Thoracoscopic Surgery ◽  
Pericardial Tamponade ◽  
Pericardial Fluid ◽  
Pathological Examination ◽  
Common Disease ◽  
Pericardial Window ◽  
Surgical Interventions ◽  
History Of ◽  
Recurrent Pericardial Effusion

<strong>Background:</strong> Patients with recurrent pericardial effusion and pericardial tamponade are usually treated in thoracic surgery clinics by VATS (video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery) or open pericardial window operation. The diagnostic importance of pathological evaluation of the pericardial fluid and tissue in the same patients has been reported in few studies. We reviewed pathological examination of the pericardial tissue and fluid specimens and the effect on the clinical treatment in our clinic, and compared the results with the literature. <br /><strong>Methods:</strong> We retrospectively analyzed 174 patients who underwent pericardial window operation due to pericardial tamponade or recurrent pericardial effusion. For all patients both the results of the pericardial fluid and pericardial biopsy specimen were evaluated. Clinicopathological factors were analyzed by using descriptive analysis. <br /><strong>Results:</strong> Median age was 61 (range, 20-94 years). The most common benign diagnosis was chronic inflammation (94 patients) by pericardial biopsy. History of malignancy was present in 28 patients (16.1%) and the most common disease was lung cancer (14 patients). A total of 24 patients (13.8%) could be diagnosed as having malignancy by pericardial fluid or pericardial biopsy examination. The malignancy was recognized for 12 patients who had a history of cancer; 9 of 12 with pericardial biopsy, 7 diagnosed by pericardial fluid. Twelve of 156 patients were recognized as having underlying malignancy by pericardial biopsy (n = 9) or fluid examination (n = 10), without known malignancy previously. <br /><strong>Conclusion:</strong> Recurrent pericardial effusion/pericardial tamponade are entities frequently diagnosed, and surgical interventions may be needed either for diagnosis and/or treatment, but specific etiology can rarely be obtained in spite of pathological examination of either pericardial tissue or fluid. For increasing the probability of a specific diagnosis both the pericardial fluid and the pericardial tissues have to be sent for pathologic examination.

scholarly journals Subacute idiopathic pericarditis with a large pericardial effusion in a young adult seven months post COVID-19 (SARS-Cov-2) infection

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 340-342
Author(s):  
Ashan T Hatharasinghe ◽  
Andrey E Manov
Keyword(s):  
Pericardial Effusion ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
Young Female ◽  
Past Medical History ◽  
Active Infection ◽  
Pericardial Window ◽  
Large Pericardial Effusion ◽  
The World ◽  
History Of ◽  
Short Time

The number of COVID-19 (SARS-Cov-2) cases has risen substantially throughout the world, and consequently we are finding there are several extrapulmonary manifestations associated with this disease. Viral pericarditis and pericardial effusion have been reported several times in COVID-19 patients, however the majority of these cases occurred during active infection or within a relatively short time frame afterwards. The following case is a young female with only a past medical history of COVID-19 pneumonia, seven months prior, presenting with abdominal pain and progressively worsening dyspnea. She was subsequently found to have a large pericardial effusion without tamponade, but requiring a pericardial window. Gross pathology showed fibrinous pericarditis. It is suspected her symptoms and pericardial effusion resulted from a subacute idiopathic pericarditis likely as post-viral complication of COVID-19.

scholarly journals Subxiphoid window drainage of pericardial effusion - study of 35 cases

1970 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 71-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rezwanul Hoque ◽  
Mostafa Nuruzzaman ◽  
Sabrina Sharmin Husain ◽  
Zerzina Rahman
Keyword(s):  
Pericardial Effusion ◽  
Thoracoscopic Surgery ◽  
Exclusion Criteria ◽  
Pericardial Window ◽  
Echocardiographic Finding ◽  
Malignant Pericardial Effusion ◽  
Physical Findings ◽  
Age Range ◽  
Effusive Constrictive Pericarditis ◽  
Video Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery

Pericardial effusion defines the presence of an abnormal amount and/or character of fluid in the pericardial space. It can be acute or chronic and caused by a variety of local and systemic disorders, or it may be idiopathic. Pericardial effusion can be relieved by medical treatment, pericardiocentesis through a needle with or without echocardiographic guidance, or by surgical procedures, such as subxiphoid pericardial tube drainage, by creating a pericardial window through a left anterior thoracotomy, or by video assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) Subxiphoid pericardial window drainages were done on 35 patients with symptomatic pericardial effusion in the Department of cardiac surgery, BSMMU, from February, 1995 through July, 2009, and were all included in this retrospective observational study. The inclusion criteria were an established diagnosis of pericardial effusion confirmed by history, physical findings and transthoracic echocardiography, hemodynamic alteration as evidenced by hypotension( systolic blood pressure < 90 mm of Hg), shortness of breath, echocardiographic finding of > 10 mm echo free space with/ without compression of heart, recurrence after pericardiocentesis, haemorrhagic or thick pericardial effusion and malignant pericardial effusion. The exclusion criteria were loculated or post surgical pericardial effusion, effusive constrictive pericarditis or where formal thoracotomy was applied for drainage of effusion. Patients were followed up at one month and three months following the drainage procedure. The age range was from 13 years to 70 years (Mean 47.86 ± SD 15.20 years), 19 (54.28%) were male, 16(45.72%) were female. The symptomatology varied but cardiac and respiratory decompression overwhelmed other symptoms. In this study tuberculosis is the most common cause of pericardial effusion, idiopathic and malignancies are other important causes. Subxiphoid window drainage is an effective process in relieving pericardial effusion and the reaccumulation rate is low. Key words: Subxiphoid window drainage; Surgical drainage of pericardial effusion; Pericardial effusion. DOI: 10.3329/uhj.v5i2.4558 University Heart Journal Vol.5(2) July 2009 pp.71-74

Overview of pericardial syndromes

ESC CardioMed ◽  
2018 ◽  
pp. 1561-1563
Author(s):  
Michael Arad ◽  
Yehuda Adler
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Chronic Heart Failure ◽  
Pericardial Effusion ◽  
Acute Pericarditis ◽  
Pericardial Disease ◽  
Pericardial Diseases ◽  
Pericardial Syndromes ◽  
Work Up ◽  
Systemic Condition ◽  
Symptoms And Signs

Pericardial diseases manifest as a part of a systemic condition or in isolation. The clinical presentation is driven by inflammation (i.e. pericarditis), excess fluid accumulation (pericardial effusion), or pericardial stiffening (constriction). Corresponding symptoms and signs may include pain, stigmata of systemic inflammation, atrial arrhythmia, haemodynamic compromise, or chronic heart failure. Pericardial tumours and space-occupying lesions are uncommon and may be incidentally detected or present as one of the above-mentioned forms of pericardial disease. Aetiological work-up is usually unnecessary in acute pericarditis but is indicated in the incessant/chronic form and to exclude bacterial infection. Pericardial effusions need to be investigated when large and promptly evacuated when associated with haemodynamic compromise. The hallmark of constrictive physiology is ventricular interdependence. It is important to distinguish transient constriction and to treat inflammation according to aetiology prior to making a decision on surgical relief by pericardiectomy.

scholarly journals Pericardial Effusion as an Initial Presentation of Panhypopituitarism

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosa Alves ◽  
Sofia Alegria ◽  
Henrique Vara Luiz ◽  
Tiago Judas
Keyword(s):  
Pericardial Effusion ◽  
Incidental Finding ◽  
Hormone Replacement ◽  
Pericardial Tamponade ◽  
Adrenal Crisis ◽  
Secondary Hypothyroidism ◽  
Rare Manifestation ◽  
Initial Work ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Work Up

Pericardial effusion has a broad spectrum of clinical presentation, ranging from an incidental finding on imaging to a potentially fatal emergency such as pericardial tamponade, the most severe presentation. The authors present a case of a middle-aged male hospitalized due to shortness of breath. Initial work-up was positive for massive pericardial effusion with haemodynamic compromise. Additional study revealed panhypopituitarism. The acromegalic phenotype was suggestive of acromegaly secondary to pituitary adenoma, which had probably evolved to apoplexy. Hormone replacement was started with clinical improvement. At the 3-year follow-up, there was no evidence of recurrence of pericardial effusion. Panhypopituitarism is a relatively rare entity, but can lead to life-threatening complications such as adrenal crisis, coma and myxoedema-associated cardiac failure. Pericardial effusion is an extremely rare manifestation of secondary hypothyroidism.

Abstract 17341: A 19-Year-Old Female with Recurrent Chylopericardium

Circulation ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 130 (suppl_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheng-Han Chen ◽  
Angela Kleiber ◽  
Christine Megerdichian ◽  
Gregg C Fonarow ◽  
Arnold S Baas
Keyword(s):  
Pericardial Effusion ◽  
Thoracic Duct ◽  
Correct Diagnosis ◽  
Pericardial Fluid ◽  
Shortness Of Breath ◽  
Pericardial Window ◽  
Percutaneous Embolization ◽  
Fluid Analysis ◽  
Large Pericardial Effusion ◽  
Work Up

A 19-year-old female initially presented to an outside hospital with worsening shortness of breath over the course of hours. Echocardiogram revealed a large pericardial effusion with tamponade physiology. An urgent pericardiocentesis followed by a pericardial window yielded 600cc of cloudy fluid, and work-up for infectious, auto-immune, and malignant etiologies was unrevealing. She was discharged home, but over the next four weeks developed a repeat pericardial effusion requiring another pericardiocentesis yielding 750cc of cloudy fluid. She then presented to our hospital two weeks later with progressive shortness of breath. Echocardiogram revealed a large pericardial effusion with evidence of early tamponade physiology. Our differential diagnosis for her recurrent pericardial effusions remained broad, with infectious and malignant etiologies at the top of consideration. Computed tomography of the chest demonstrated the pericardial effusion and mild mediastinal adenopathy. She underwent another pericardial window with removal of 600cc of milky fluid, and fluid analysis was notable for a markedly elevated triglyceride level consistent with a diagnosis of chylopericardium. Work-up for malignancy as an etiology for recurrent chylopericardium was negative. A percutaneous lymphangiogram was then performed, which revealed a significant leak in the superior aspect of the thoracic duct into the pericardial space. Percutaneous embolization of the thoracic duct was performed using detachable coils along with embolic glue, resulting in resolution of the leak. She has since remained asymptomatic, and follow-up echocardiogram was without recurrence of any pericardial effusion. This case of idiopathic recurrent chylopericardium as the cause for pericardial effusion represents a rare manifestation of a relatively common cardiac condition. It illustrates the importance of routine pericardial fluid analysis for triglycerides, as this led to her correct diagnosis of chylopericardium. The use of percutaneous thoracic duct embolization has only recently been reported as a novel approach for treatment of chylous leak, and may emerge as a useful alternative to surgery for recurrent chylopericardium.

scholarly journals Osteophytes may be a rare cause of recurrent pleural effusions

2015 ◽  
Vol 79 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Psathakis ◽  
V. Skouras ◽  
F. Chatzivassiloglou ◽  
K. Tsintiris
Keyword(s):  
Pleural Effusion ◽  
Rare Case ◽  
Thoracic Cavity ◽  
Pleural Effusions ◽  
Bony Structure ◽  
Medical Thoracoscopy ◽  
Initial Work ◽  
Inflammatory Changes ◽  
Work Up ◽  
Mechanical Irritation

We report a rare case of a 59 year-old female, who was admitted to the hospital because of a recurrent right-sided pleural effusion. The initial work-up was non-diagnostic. The diagnosis was finally confirmed following medical thoracoscopy, where an osteophyte of a rib was found to protrude sharply into the thoracic cavity. Chronic inflammatory changes of the pleura suggested mechanical irritation due to long lasting friction between this bony structure and the underlying lung. This is the first report where an osteophyte seems to be implicated in pleural pathology. A brief review of the available data from the literature is presented to further support our results.

Overview of pericardial syndromes

ESC CardioMed ◽  
2018 ◽  
pp. 1561-1563
Author(s):  
Michael Arad ◽  
Yehuda Adler
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Chronic Heart Failure ◽  
Pericardial Effusion ◽  
Acute Pericarditis ◽  
Pericardial Disease ◽  
Pericardial Diseases ◽  
Pericardial Syndromes ◽  
Work Up ◽  
Systemic Condition ◽  
Symptoms And Signs

Pericardial diseases manifest as a part of a systemic condition or in isolation. The clinical presentation is driven by inflammation (i.e. pericarditis), excess fluid accumulation (pericardial effusion), or pericardial stiffening (constriction). Corresponding symptoms and signs may include pain, stigmata of systemic inflammation, atrial arrhythmia, haemodynamic compromise, or chronic heart failure. Pericardial tumours and space-occupying lesions are uncommon and may be incidentally detected or present as one of the above-mentioned forms of pericardial disease. Aetiological work-up is usually unnecessary in acute pericarditis but is indicated in the incessant/chronic form and to exclude bacterial infection. Pericardial effusions need to be investigated when large and promptly evacuated when associated with haemodynamic compromise. The hallmark of constrictive physiology is ventricular interdependence. It is important to distinguish transient constriction and to treat inflammation according to aetiology prior to making a decision on surgical relief by pericardiectomy.

scholarly journals Pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade requiring pericardial window in an otherwise healthy 30-year-old patient with COVID-19: a case report

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Walker ◽  
Vincent Peyko ◽  
Charles Farrell ◽  
Jeanine Awad-Spirtos ◽  
Matthew Adamo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Case Report ◽  
Pericardial Effusion ◽  
Cardiac Tamponade ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Healthy Woman ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Rare Presentation ◽  
Pericardial Window ◽  
Acute Pericarditis ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

Abstract Background This case report demonstrates pericardial effusion, acute pericarditis, and cardiac tamponade in an otherwise healthy woman who had a positive test result for coronavirus disease 2019. Few case reports have been documented on patients with this presentation, and it is important to share novel presentations of the disease as they are discovered. Case presentation A Caucasian patient with coronavirus disease 2019 returned to the emergency department of our hospital 2 days after her initial visit with worsening chest pain and shortness of breath. Imaging revealed new pericardial effusion since the previous visit. The patient became hypotensive, was taken for pericardial window for cardiac tamponade with a drain placed, and was treated for acute pericarditis. Conclusion Much is still unknown about the implications of coronavirus disease 2019. With the novel coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, research is still in process, and we are slowly learning about new signs and symptoms of the disease. This case report documents a lesser-known presentation of a patient with coronavirus disease 2019 and will help to further understanding of a rare presentation.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document