TB PERICARDITIS- A CASE REPORT
TIRUMALA KANAKA DURGA SRIPATHI *
Department of Pathology, Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital, Chennai, India
HEMALATHA GANAPATHY
Department of Pathology, Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital, Chennai, India
NATARAJAN SURESH
Department of Pathology, Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital, Chennai, India
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Tuberculous pericarditis is a complication of TB with pericardial fluid with elevated interferon –gamma > 50 pg/ml being highly specific for tuberculous pericarditis.
For Tuberculous pericarditis definite diagnosis is based on the presence of tubercle bacilli in pericardial fluid or on a histological section of the pericardium. ”probable” tuberculous pericarditis is based on the proof of a lymphocytic pericardial exudates with elevated adenosine deaminase levels, and/or appropriate response to anti tuberculosis chemotherapy. Treatment consists of 4-drug antituberculosis regimen for 6 months. Appropriate treatment for constrictive pericarditis is surgical rresection of the pericardium.
Keywords: Tuberculous pericarditis, pericardial fluid, pericardial aspiration, lymphocytic pericardial exudates