Tuberculous pericarditis

Abstract

Tuberculosis remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and the extrapulmonary presentation represents up to 20% of this disease. The pericardial compromise of this disease has been estimated between 1% and 4% of diagnosed patients. This presentation may have a mortality rate as high as 90% without proper treatment and diagnosis, dropping to 12% with timely diagnosis and treatment.
We present the case of a 55 year-old female patient hospitalized for two weeks with constitutional symptoms, intermittent fever, dry cough, pleuritic pain and some symptoms of heart failure. The imaging studies (chest x-rays and ultrasound), revealed bilateral pleural effusion: 300 cc on the right side, 1,000 cc on the left side, and 500 cc of pericardial effusion. Direct bacilloscopy of the pleural fluid, the pericardial fluid and the sputum were negative, as well as the C-reactive protein (CRP); however, the Löwenstein-Jensen culture of the pericardial fluid was positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The result of the purified protein derivative (PPD) test showed a 23 mm swelling, and after quadruple therapy her clinical condition rapidly improved until final discharge.
Tuberculous pericarditis can be considered as a rare manifestation of tuberculosis, with high morbidity and significant mortality which decrease with effective early diagnosis and treatment. Although several diagnostic criteria for tuberculous pericarditis have been suggested, a definitive diagnosis may suppose several technical challenges.