[Idiopathic constrictive péricarditis revealed by a massive left pleural effusion].
BACKGROUND
We report a case of constrictive péricarditis initially revealed by a massive left sided pleural effusion.


METHODS
The patient was dyspnoeic without any associated clinical signs. Only cardiac catheterization gave the diagnosis with a characteristic dip-plateau of the right ventricle. After full assessment, no aetiology was found.


CONCLUSIONS
After a treatment with corticosteroids, the progress has been favourable to date.
Tsémo Watchueng
G
G
Service de pneumologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de la Croix-Rousse, Lyon, France. ghistw@yahoo.fr
De La Roche
E
E
Duperret
S
S
Arpin
D
D
Perol
M
M
Depagne
C
C
Nesme
P
P
Guerin
J-C
JC
D006328:Cardiac Catheterization; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010493:Pericarditis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000209:etiology*