Primary meningococcal pericarditis complicated by tamponade

Abstract

AbstractPericarditis as a complication of meningococcal meningitis or meningococcaemia is uncommon, occurring in approximately 5.1% of cases. Meningococcal infection of the pericardium in the absence of meningitis is even rarer, with only 22 cases previously described. We report a case of primary meningococcal pericarditis complicated by cardiac tamponade in a 27 year old male and review all previously reported cases. The clinical features, epidemiology, investigations and management of primary meningococcal pericarditis are discussed.