Constrictive pericarditis is characterized by scarring and
loss of elasticity of the Pericardium, and subsequently, this leads to signs
and symptoms of right heart failure. Common etiologies include previous cardiac surgery, repeated pericarditis, and Radiation therapy. However, less common
causes include tuberculosis, neoplasms, and autoimmune disorders. Here we present
a rare case of constrictive pericarditis of possible tuberculous etiology and
review the diagnosis and management of the condition.
A 68-year-old female with a past
medical history of hypertension, immune thrombocytopenia, and early cervical
cancer (who had been cured surgically with a hysterectomy) presented with
worsening shortness of breath on exertion and leg swelling of four weeks
duration. She also had an occasional cough productive of whitish sputum. She
has a history of contact with active tuberculosis (her father), and she was
diagnosed with latent tuberculosis (TB) infection at an early age but did not
complete a course of treatment for latent TB.
No comments:
Post a Comment