title: Malignancy with unknown primary presenting as acute cardiac tamponade: a case report.
abstract: A case report of a patient presenting in cardiac tamponade that was subsequently diagnosed as being secondary to malignancy of unknown primary. The patient was treated by urgent pericardiocentesis, followed by subsequent formation of a subxiphoid pericardial window. He was discharged home and given palliative chemotherapy. Malignant pericardial effusions are common, but it is rare for a patient to present in cardiac tamponade as the presenting feature of an unidentified malignancy. The causes, diagnosis and treatment of cardiac tamponade are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Acute Medicine, Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust, Heath Road, Ipswich IP4 5PD, UK. e.banham-hall@doctors.org.uk
authors.forename: Edward J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Banham-Hall
authors.forename: Awais M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Bokhari