02 July 2015 : Case report
Bubbles in the Pericardium
Challenging differential diagnosis, Rare disease, Educational Purpose (only if useful for a systematic review or synthesis)
Aditya SainiABE, Brijesh PatelACEDOI: 10.12659/AJCR.893877
Am J Case Rep 2015; 16:420-423
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Purulent pericarditis is a rare but life-threatening illness. Often, it may be masked by the primary infectious etiology like pneumonia, endocarditis, or CNS infection, leading to a delay in diagnosis and treatment. Echocardiography is the modality of choice for estimating the presence and size of pericardial effusion and detecting presence of tamponade.
CASE REPORT: We present a case of a young man with acute respiratory illness in whom clinical exam, electrocardiography, and classic echocardiographic findings played a key role in diagnosis. An echo-dense effusion (rather than echo-free space) appearing like “bubbles” within the pericardial space was seen and a purulent nature of the fluid was strongly suspected. Prompt institution of antimicrobial therapy and timely pericardial drainage resulted in complete clinical recovery of the patient.
CONCLUSIONS: In this case, timely diagnosis and prompt treatment of effusion with pericardial drainage and antibiotics resulted in complete recovery from this otherwise devastating infection.
Keywords: Drainage - methods, Diagnosis, Differential, Echocardiography, Electrocardiography, Pericardial Effusion - surgery, Pericardium - ultrasonography, young adult
In Press
19 Mar 2024 : Case report
Excimer Laser Therapy for Pigmented Purpuric Dermatosis: A Case StudyAm J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.942853
19 Mar 2024 : Case report
Case Report: Primary Cutaneous Histoplasmosis in an Immunocompetent Patient After Cosmetic Injection of Pla...Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.942660
19 Mar 2024 : Case report
Bilateral Simultaneous Basal Ganglia Hemorrhage: A Case ReportAm J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.943174
19 Mar 2024 : Case report
Medial Hoffa Fracture: A Case Report and Literature Review of Approach and ManagementAm J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.943136
Most Viewed Current Articles
07 Mar 2024 : Case report
Neurocysticercosis Presenting as Migraine in the United StatesDOI :10.12659/AJCR.943133
Am J Case Rep 2024; 25:e943133
10 Jan 2022 : Case report
A Report on the First 7 Sequential Patients Treated Within the C-Reactive Protein Apheresis in COVID (CACOV...DOI :10.12659/AJCR.935263
Am J Case Rep 2022; 23:e935263
19 Jul 2022 : Case report
Atlantoaxial Subluxation Secondary to SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Rare Orthopedic Complication from COVID-19DOI :10.12659/AJCR.936128
Am J Case Rep 2022; 23:e936128
23 Feb 2022 : Case report
Penile Necrosis Associated with Local Intravenous Injection of CocaineDOI :10.12659/AJCR.935250
Am J Case Rep 2022; 23:e935250