BACKGROUND The diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis continues to be a clinical challenge. Magnetic resonance imaging provides excellent visualization of the pericardium. The aim of our study is to clarify the contribution of this non invasive exploration in the diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis in our center. METHODS we conducted a prospective study over a period of two years, since 20...

INTRODUCTION Constrictive pericarditis is a rare complication in the post-renal transplant period. It poses a diagnostic dilemma even in the modern era. Its incidence is not known and tuberculosis is implicated in some of the cases. CASE PRESENTATION A 54-year-old Sri Lankan man, in the sixth year of transplant presented with resistant ascites, shortness of breath and elevated creatinine from...

C onstrictive pericarditis can be defined as a syndrome (or syndromes) resulting from compression of the heart caused by rigid, thickened, and frequently fused pericardial membranes. This syndrome was known about more than three centuries ago, but more recently its clinical spectrum has changed in two ways. Firstly, from the aetiologic point of view, there has been an increase in the number of ...

Frequency. Though not frequently met with clinically, the condition is not a rare one if the comparatively large group of cases which are demonstrated only in the post-mortem room is included. Thus Alexander' found only three cases of suppurative pericarditis in 31,016 hospital cases, though Stone2 noted 15 5 per cent. in 300 patients dead of pneumonia. Allbutt and Rolleston3 also stressed the ...

Frequency. Though not frequently met with clinically, the condition is not a rare one if the comparatively large group of cases which are demonstrated only in the post-mortem room is included. Thus Alexander' found only three cases of suppurative pericarditis in 31,016 hospital cases, though Stone2 noted 15 5 per cent. in 300 patients dead of pneumonia. Allbutt and Rolleston3 also stressed the ...

Immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) can involve any organ. The majority of reported cases involve IgG4-RD of the biliary tract or pancreas, while only two cases of pericarditis have been reported. A 58-year-old man visited the outpatient clinic of our institution with a seven-day history of progressive dyspnea. Based on his transthoracic echocardiogram and transesophageal echocardiogram...

Massive ascites of unknown origin is an uncommon condition, which represent a diagnostic challenge. Patients with delayed diagnosis and treatment may have a poor prognosis. A 22-year-old female was referred to this hospital due to a 4-year progressive abdominal distension with massive ascites of unknown origin. By thorough investigations, she was eventually diagnosed as chronic calcified constr...

Four cases of occult pericardial constriction are presented. This condition is not uncommon, but needs high index of suspicion. Integration of detailed echocardiographic evaluation in a given patient with diseases known to cause pericardial involvement can clinch the diagnosis.

Right-sided heart failure is not uncommon. A careful jugular venous examination looking for the distinct Kussmaul's sign and rapid X-Y descents, which are highly indicative of constrictive pericarditis, is markedly helpful in guiding the correct diagnosis and proper management.

Ikram, H., Banim, S. O., and Makey, A. R. (1974). Thorax, 29, 204-208. Clinical features of non-tuberculous constrictive pericarditis. This paper describes the clinical features of five cases of constrictive pericarditis of non-tuberculous aetiology. The findings in this syndrome are compared with those in tuberculous constrictive pericarditis. The non-tuberculous variety had a short history, a...