title: Spontaneous Echo Contrast in Purulent Pericardial Effusion due to Non-Gas-Forming Organisms.
abstract: We present the case of a 55-year-old man who developed massive pericardial effusion with tamponade within a 5-day period. During transthoracic two-dimensional echocardiographic examination, spontaneous echo contrast was visualized in pericardial effusion. A diagnosis of polymicrobial pyopericarditis was made when urgent pericardiocentesis revealed a significantly foul odor and purulent fluid that grew a culture of aerobes. After surgical drainage and appropriate antimicrobial therapy, this patient's pyopericarditis resolved. It was suggested that spontaneous echo contrast in pericardial effusion could be induced by non-gas-forming pyogenic cells.
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Section, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, 222 Mai-Chin Road, Keelung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ming-Jui
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Hung
authors.forename: Chao-Hung
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Dah-Wel
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Wen-Jin
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Cherng