PS-R02-3: MASSIVE TUBERCULOUS PERICARDIAL EFFUSION WITHOUT CARDIAC TAMPONADE OR MEDIASTINAL LYMPHADENOPATHY IN AN 88 YEAR OLD MALE: A CASE REPORT

Abstract

Tuberculosis, although endemic in Asia does not commonly affect the heart and would usually present as constrictive pericarditis. Pericardial involvement heralds an unfavorable prognosis and remains a challenge to clinicians. Cardiac tamponade is common in patients with massive pericardial effusions. In the Philippines, it is the second most common cause of cardiac tamponade as documented in the five-year CAPTIVE Heart Study. Mediastinal lymphadenopathy occurs in all cases and denotes lymphatic spread to the pericardium. We present a rare case of an elderly patient presenting with two month history of dyspnea without fever, weight loss, or chest pain. Echocardiography revealed thickened pericardium with fibrinous strands and massive pericardial effusion of 91 mm without tamponade physiology. CT scan revealed absence of mediastinal or hilar lymphadenopathy. Sputum gene xpert was positive. Anti-tuberculosis regimen was started. Patient also then underwent anterolateral thoracotomy, pleuropericardial window with biopsy. Histopathology revealed chronic inflammatory cells, peripherally located granulomas composed of epitheloid cells and Langhans giant cells confirming tuberculosis as the cause of the pericardial effusion. Large pericardial effusion of more than 20 mm is a predictor to the development of hemodynamic instability and subsequent tamponade. In comparison to 2D Echocardiography findings of the patient with a pericardial effusion measurement of 91 mm, still no tamponade physiology was noted even if the effusion existed for more than a month. Mortality is high even in the absence of cardiac tamponade. Mediastinal lymphadenopathy does not occur in all cases of tuberculous pericardial effusion but is still a possibility as seen in the case. The threshold of chronic massive pericardial effusion in developing into tamponade may be higher than previously noted as documented in the case.