title: An unusual cause of a large fibrinous pericardial effusion.
abstract: The commonest cause of a large fibrinous pericardial effusion in sub-Saharan Africa is tuberculosis. There are, however, limited resources available for making a definitive diagnosis of tuberculous pericarditis. The diagnosis is largely based on clinical criteria. There is a risk of misdiagnosing less-common causes of large fibrinous pericardial effusions. We present a patient who had a pericardial angiosarcoma that was initially thought to be a tuberculous pericardial effusion, and discuss the challenges in making a definitive diagnosis of tuberculosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe. nmbuwayesango@yoafrica.com.
authors.forename: Noleen Chengetai
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Tembani-Munyandu
authors.affiliation: Department of Histopathology, College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe.
authors.forename: Rudo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Makunike-Mutasa
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe.
authors.forename: Leolin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Katsidzira
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chinogureyi
mesh_terms: D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001706:Biopsy; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006338:Heart Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D006394:Hemangiosarcoma / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D020519:Pericardiocentesis; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D019564:Unnecessary Procedures; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000995:Antitubercular Agents