Corticosteroids in radiation-induced pericarditis.
We describe a patient who developed acute pericarditis with effusion six weeks following irradiation of the chest for bilateral carcinoma of the breast. Oral therapy with corticosteroids was rapidly followed by a decrease of the cardiac shadow and by clinical improvement; the pericardial fluid did not reappear during a follow-up period of four years. It seems that acute pericarditis with effusion may appear in the early period after irradiation of the chest and can be treated with corticosteroids.
D000208:Acute Disease; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010493:Pericarditis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000209:etiology; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*
D011241:Prednisone