Tuberculous constrictive pericarditis with concurrent active pulmonary tuberculous infection: a case report.
BACKGROUND
In some particular endemic area, it is not uncommon to see patients with tuberculosis pericarditis. However, it takes a period of time from tuberculous pericarditis to constrictive pericarditis. There is still no report of tuberculous constrictive pericarditis concurrent with active pulmonary TB infection in a patient without previous pulmonary TB infection history. Therefore, we reported a TB constrictive pericarditis with rare disease progress.


METHODS
We report the case of a 63-year-old Taiwanese man with tuberculous constrictive pericarditis concurrent with active pulmonary tuberculous infection presenting with progressive extremities edema, puffy face, abdominal distension and dyspnea on exertion found to be caused by right heart failure. The patient was cured by pericardial stripping and anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy. We reviewed other cases of tuberculous constrictive pericarditis from the literature and described the peculiarities of this case.


CONCLUSIONS
Rapid diagnosis and treatment of constrictive pericarditis are crucial to reduce mortality. In some endemic areas, Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection should be taken into consideration during diagnostic evaluations for constrictive pericarditis. Surgical intervention is still the treatment of choice when the patient has the symptoms or signs of pericardial constriction and right heart failure. Our case is a constant reminder that active Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection does present itself with uncommon presentations.
Liu
Yen-Wen
YW
Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, 138, Sheng-Li Road, Tainan, Taiwan. 036030@info.hosp.ncku.edu.tw
Tsai
Huey-Ru
HR
Li
Wen-Huang
WH
Lin
Li-Jen
LJ
Chen
Jyh-Hong
JH