title: Cardiac tamponade and pleural effusion complicating varicella: a case report.
abstract: Varicella is a common infectious disease, usually benign and self-limited, and complications are believed to be rare. Most cases occur in healthy children younger than 14 years. Serious complications are uncommon, although high-risk groups have been identified, such as immunosuppressed patients, neonates, and adults. Cardiac tamponade after pericardial effusion occurring as a complication of varicella infection has been very infrequently reported. We describe an 8-month-old infant presenting with cardiac tamponade after varicella infection secondary to purulent bacterial pericardial effusion. He required a pericardial window formation. He also developed pleural empyema, another uncommon complication requiring thoracostomy drainage. This illustrative case, management, and unique features will be presented along with a review of all cases of varicella complicated by pericarditis in the English literature.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Louisiana State University, Shreveport, LA 71103, USA. masoodsa@ihs.org
authors.forename: Syed Asif
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Masood
authors.forename: Ernest
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kiel
authors.forename: Olugbenga
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Akingbola
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Green
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hodges
authors.forename: Gretchen
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Petterway
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002305:Cardiac Tamponade / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D002644:Chickenpox / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D004638:Emergency Treatment; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D010493:Pericarditis / Q000821:virology*; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000379:methods; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013906:Thoracoscopy / Q000379:methods; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents