title: Purulent pericarditis in children: is pericardiotomy needed?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to describe our experience with pediatric bacterial pericarditis and review the optimal therapy for this entity.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a retrospective study in a pediatric intensive care unit in a university hospital. Three children were diagnosed with purulent pericarditis. They were all treated with antibiotics, echocardiography-guided pericardial fluid drainage, and placement of a pericardial catheter, with no need for thoracotomy or pericardial window.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All 3 children fully recovered, and none developed constrictive pericarditis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Children with purulent pericarditis usually can be treated with antibiotics and drainage of pericardial effusion, with no need for thoracotomy or pericardial window.
authors.affiliation: Infectious Diseases Unit, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel. orlimegged@szmc.org.il
authors.forename: Orli
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Megged
authors.forename: Zvi
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Argaman
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kleid
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002305:Cardiac Tamponade / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D002404:Catheterization / Q000379:methods*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods*; D004630:Emergencies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D015278:Intensive Care Units, Pediatric; D010492:Pericardiectomy; D020519:Pericardiocentesis; D010493:Pericarditis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery*; D010494:Pericarditis, Constrictive / Q000517:prevention & control; D011008:Pneumococcal Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013492:Suppuration; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional; D019564:Unnecessary Procedures; D014568:Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D014568:Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator