title: [Unilateral transudative pleural effusion and constritive pericarditis].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Constrictive pericarditis is associated with thickening, fibrosis or inflammation of the pericardium which can lead to signs of right ventricle dysfunction. It is usually a chronic process which can present in a variety of ways. We present two cases of constrictive pericarditis discovered during the investigation of a left-sided pleural effusion.
  
  
  METHODS
  The cases represent two sorts of constrictive pericarditis, chronic and due to pericardial effusions. Their common feature was an increase in dyspnoea and a new pleural effusion on the left side. Their difference lies in the presence of a thickened calcified pericardium in one case and the presence of a pericardial effusion in the other. In both cases, non-invasive investigation failed to diagnose any cardiac disease. The presence of constrictive pericarditis was confirmed by right heart catheterization. Treatment by subtotal pericardectomy was effective.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The thoracic manifestations of constrictive pericarditis are most commonly recurring bilateral pleural effusions. The mode of presentation may be an exudative, or transudative effusion. Unilateral pleural involvement, fibrosis, chylothorax or tumour like presentations may occur. A diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis should be considered in these clinical contexts and an examination of the pericardium performed. Cardiac catheterization can help in the differential diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Service de pneumologie, CHU de Besançon, 4, boulevard Fleming, 25000 Besançon, France. Electronic address: matthieuveil@gmail.com.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Veil-Picard
authors.affiliation: Service de pneumologie, CHU de Besançon, 4, boulevard Fleming, 25000 Besançon, France; Service de réanimation, centre hospitalier de Montélimar, 26200 Montélimar, France.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rival
authors.affiliation: Service de chirurgie thoracique, CHU de Besançon, 25000 Besançon, France.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Aupècle
authors.affiliation: Service de chirurgie thoracique, CHU de Besançon, 25000 Besançon, France.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Laluc
authors.affiliation: Service de pneumologie, CHU de Besançon, 4, boulevard Fleming, 25000 Besançon, France.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Maitre
authors.affiliation: Service de cardiologie, CHU de Besançon, 25000 Besançon, France.
authors.forename: M-F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Seronde
authors.affiliation: Service de pneumologie, CHU de Besançon, 4, boulevard Fleming, 25000 Besançon, France.
authors.forename: J-C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Dalphin
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization; D006332:Cardiomegaly / Q000150:complications; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010492:Pericardiectomy; D010494:Pericarditis, Constrictive / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000209:etiology*; D011859:Radiography
keywords: Constrictive pericarditis; Pathologies pleurales; Pericardial effusion; Pleural diseases; Pleural effusion; Péricardectomie subtotale; Péricardite constrictive; Subtotal pericardectomy; Épanchement pleural; Épanchement péricardique