Key result
A 60-year-old woman with primary malignant pericardial mesothelioma developed superior vena cava thrombosis and constrictive pericarditis, dying 8 months after presentation despite treatment.
Case Report (n=1)
No
Primary malignant pericardial mesothelioma is a rare, highly lethal tumor that can present with recurrent pericardial effusion, constrictive pericarditis, and superior vena cava thrombosis, often leading to rapid mortality despite surgical and medical interventions.
Warrants vigilance for pericardial mesothelioma in refractory effusions; leaves open validation of early diagnostic strategies in larger cohorts.
Primary malignant pericardial mesothelioma (PMPM) is an extremely rare, highly lethal and often misdiagnosed tumor. We report a 60-year-old woman complaining of dry cough, shortness of breath and exertional dyspnea due to a large pericardial effusion. The pericardial fluid volume declined after pericardiocentesis; analysis of the fluid revealed malignant cells and was negative for tuberculosis. Subsequently, the patient developed a compression of the superior vena cava and pericardial constriction. The patient's symptoms marginally improved after partial pericardiectomy, and a diagnosis of pericardial mesothelioma was made on pathology. However, her symptoms continued to aggravate, and she died 8 months after presentation. Pericardial mesothelioma should be discovered earlier to treat patients who develop repeatedly pericardial effusion after pericardiocentesis and pericardial tamponade or those develop constrictive pericarditis.
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Gong et al. (2014) conducted a case report in Primary malignant pericardial mesothelioma (n=1). Partial pericardiectomy and chemotherapy was evaluated on Clinical outcome. A 60-year-old woman with primary malignant pericardial mesothelioma developed superior vena cava thrombosis and constrictive pericarditis, dying 8 months after presentation despite treatment.
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