Meningococcemia without meningitis presenting as cardiac tamponade: Survival with disseminated intravascular coagulation

Abstract

Pericardial effusion is an unusual complication of meningococcal meningitis in this modern era of antibiotics, and to date only one case of meningococcal pericarditis without meningitis has been reported. Our patient presented as a case of cardiac tamponade of unknown origin without meningitis. Moreover, he survived the frequently fatal complication of disseminated intravascular coagulation which occurred in the absence of shock. Two weeks after the onset of myopericarditis, corticosteroids were administered for a persistent pericardial effusion, with good response. Other cases of meningococcal pericardial effusion treated with corticosteroids are discussed.