Study note
Medicine
Cardiology
Presentation and consequences of tuberculous pericarditis
THE CONTEXT
Tuberculous pericarditis
may accompany pulmonary tuberculosis or be the first manifestation of the infection.
Clinical setting and presentation
•
Relationship to tuberculosis:
Pericarditis may complicate pulmonary tuberculosis, but an earlier pulmonary presentation is not required.
•
AIDS association:
A tuberculous pericardial effusion is a common feature of AIDS in Africa.
•
Typical symptoms:
Patients commonly present with chronic malaise, weight loss and low-grade fever.
Pericardial and pleural involvement
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Pericardial changes:
An effusion usually develops, and the pericardium may become thick and unyielding, leading to constriction or tamponade.
•
Associated finding:
A pleural effusion is often present.
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