title: Cholesterol crystals and IgE-containing immune complexes in rheumatoid pericarditis.
abstract: A 72-year-old rheumatoid arthritis patient is described presenting with acute dyspnoea and peripheral oedema. A pericardial effusion with signs of tamponade was diagnosed. Examination of the pericardial fluid revealed the presence of cholesterol crystals and IgE-containing immune complexes. The significance of these findings in the differential diagnosis of pericardial disease is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Sint-Vincentius Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Van Offel
authors.forename: L S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: De Clerck
authors.forename: I E
authors.initials: IE
authors.lastname: Kersschot
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D002305:Cardiac Tamponade / Q000473:pathology; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D003460:Crystallization; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D010493:Pericarditis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D002784:Cholesterol