Key result
Pericardiostomy and anti-tuberculosis medications successfully resolved a rare presentation of tuberculous pericarditis with free-floating masses and impending cardiac tamponade.
Case Report (n=1)
No
Tuberculous pericarditis can rarely present as free-floating masses in pericardial effusion causing impending tamponade, which can be effectively treated with pericardiostomy and medical therapy.
Hypothesis-generating for rare tuberculous pericarditis; leaves open need for prospective data before changing practice.
Pericarditis is a rare manifestation of tuberculosis (Tb) in children. A 14-yr-old Korean boy presented with cardiac tamponade during treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis. He developed worsening anemia and persistent fever in spite of anti-tuberculosis medications. Echocardiography found free floating multiple discoid masses in the pericardial effusion. The masses and exudates were removed by pericardiostomy. The masses were composed of pink, amorphous meshwork of threads admixed with degenerated red blood cells and leukocytes with numerous acid-fast bacilli, which were confirmed as Mycobacterium species by polymerase chain reaction. The persistent fever and anemia were controlled after pericardiostomy. This is the report of a unique manifestation of Tb pericarditis as free floating masses in the effusion with impending tamponade.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Yoon et al. (2012) conducted a case report in Tuberculous Pericarditis (n=1). Pericardiostomy and anti-tuberculosis medications was evaluated on Resolution of symptoms (fever, anemia, tamponade). Pericardiostomy and anti-tuberculosis medications successfully resolved a rare presentation of tuberculous pericarditis with free-floating masses and impending cardiac tamponade.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: