Pericarditis case study one

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Case #1
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2]

Case #1

Clinical Summary

This patient is a 36-year-old white male with a history of long-standing renal disease who presents with end-stage kidney disease and a BUN of 112 mg/dL. During the present hospitalization he developed a pericardial friction rub and pericardial and pleural effusions. A semi-elective pericardiectomy was performed. Despite aggressive treatment, the patient expired.

Autopsy Findings

Submitted for examination was a rectangular segment of gray-tan tissue measuring 9.5 x 8.5 x 0.3 cm. The outer surface was fatty in appearance. The inner surface was rough and covered by a number of fine red papillary projections. The projections were composed of fine strands having the appearance of fibrin.

Histopathological Findings

Images courtesy of Professor Peter Anderson DVM PhD and published with permission © PEIR, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Pathology

This is a gross photograph of a heart illustrating acute fibrinous pericarditis. The pericardium on this heart has been reflected back (arrows). The surface of the heart is rough due to the deposition of fibrin on the epicardial surface of the heart and on the inner surface of the pericardium.

This is another view of the heart with the pericardium removed. Most of the epicardial surface is covered with fibrinous deposits as in the previous slide. There are a few glistening areas of exposed normal epicardial tissue.

This low-power photomicrograph illustrates the dark-red-staining fibrin deposits on the inner surface (arrows). This pericardium is much thicker than normal and there are numerous inflammatory cells within the pericardial tissue.

This is a higher-power photomicrograph demonstrating fronds of fibrin (arrows) projecting from the surface of the pericardium.

This high-power photomicrograph demonstrates fibrin (red amorphous material) on the surface of the pericardium (1). Note the reactive mesothelial cells on the surface of the pericardium (arrows) and the inflammatory cells within the pericardial tissue.

Related Chapters

• Hemopericardium
• Pneumopericardium
• Chylopericardium
• Pericardial effusion
• Congenital absence of the pericardium
• Pericardial window
• Pericardial sac
• Pericardial friction rub
• Pericardiectomy
• Pericardiocentesis
• Pericardium

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