Fatal hemopericardial tamponade due to primary pericardial mesothelioma: a case report

Background:Primary mesothelioma of the pericardium comprises less than 1% of all mesothelioma cases. Its typical presentation is insidious, with nonspecific signs and symptoms, and usually results in heart failure due to cardiac tamponade, either by a serous effusion or by direct tumorous constriction of the heart. With the exception of several case reports, the outcome is uniformly fatal, and patients typically die within six months of diagnosis.Case presentationA 45-year-old African American female presented to the emergency department with several days of dizziness, difficulty walking, and low blood pressure. The patient suddenly suffered cardiac arrest, and her death was pronounced. The medical examiner assumed jurisdiction of the case due to the sudden death nature of the case without known medical history. At autopsy, a one-liter hemopericardium was present, and the pericardial sac was thick, granular and adhesed to the heart, suspicious for pericarditis. Microscopic examination of the pericardial tissue instead led to a diagnosis of primary pericardial mesothelioma.Conclusions:Our case demonstrates a pericardial mesothelioma initially masquerading grossly as pericarditis. Microscopic examination of any grossly abnormal pericardial tissue therefore may be warranted so that a neoplastic disease process does not go undetected. Additionally, of the approximately 200 such tumors reported in the medical literature, a case demonstrating marked hemopericardium and resulting in sudden death has not been described until now.

source : www.diagnosticpathology.org

Related News:

• Researchers Report Novel Biological Properties Of Fragments Of Thymosin Beta 4
• Glaxo Calls Congressional Report Incomplete
• What Is Laryngitis? What Causes Laryngitis?
• Deaf Children With Cochlear Implants Report Similar Quality Of Life To That Of Normal-Hearing Kids
• GlaxoSmithKline deliberately hid evidence of Avandia harm, states Senate report
• Publication Of Mantle Cell Report Announced By Lymphoma Research Foundation
• Report suggests similar effectiveness among options for managing low-risk prostate cancer
• Cardiovascular Care Costs Rising, Report Says (CME/CE)
• American Academy Of Ophthalmology On NEI Report On Sharp Rise In Myopia In Americans
• Women’s Health Policy Report Highlights Studies From Recent Breast Cancer Conference