title: Tuberculous pericarditis presenting as multiple free floating masses in pericardial effusion.
abstract: Pericarditis is a rare manifestation of tuberculosis (Tb) in children. A 14-yr-old Korean boy presented with cardiac tamponade during treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis. He developed worsening anemia and persistent fever in spite of anti-tuberculosis medications. Echocardiography found free floating multiple discoid masses in the pericardial effusion. The masses and exudates were removed by pericardiostomy. The masses were composed of pink, amorphous meshwork of threads admixed with degenerated red blood cells and leukocytes with numerous acid-fast bacilli, which were confirmed as Mycobacterium species by polymerase chain reaction. The persistent fever and anemia were controlled after pericardiostomy. This is the report of a unique manifestation of Tb pericarditis as free floating masses in the effusion with impending tamponade.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Chungbuk National University Hospital, Chungbuk National University College of Medicine, Cheongju, Korea.
authors.forename: Shin-Ae
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.forename: Youn-Soo
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Hahn
authors.forename: Jong Myeon
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Ok-Jun
authors.initials: OJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Heon-Seok
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Han
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002305:Cardiac Tamponade / Q000209:etiology; D004452:Echocardiography; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D010492:Pericardiectomy; D010495:Pericarditis, Tuberculous / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging