This review provides an update on the diagnostic difficulties, current research, and criteria for diagnosing tuberculous pericardial effusions, noting that histopathology may show non-specific findings.
What are the diagnostic criteria and difficulties in identifying tuberculous aetiology in pericardial effusions?
This review provides an update on the diagnostic difficulties and criteria for identifying tuberculous pericardial effusions, highlighting the limitations of histopathology and the impact of HIV.
The diagnosis of tuberculous aetiology in pericardial effusions is important since the prognosis is excellent with specific treatment. The clinical features may not be distinctive and the diagnosis could be missed particularly with tamponade. With the spread of HIV infection the incidence has increased. The diagnosis largely depends on histopathology of the pericardial tissue or culture of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from this tissue or fluid, but patients without haemodynamic compromise do not require pericardiocentesis. Histopathology may, however, show non-specific findings in a significant number. This review is an update on the diagnostic difficulties, current research, and criteria for diagnosis.
G Cherian (Sat,) conducted a review in Tuberculous pericardial effusions. Diagnostic methods (histopathology, culture) was evaluated. This review provides an update on the diagnostic difficulties, current research, and criteria for diagnosing tuberculous pericardial effusions, noting that histopathology may show non-specific findings.
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