Background Pericarditis and pericardial effusion are relatively common hospital presentations, which rarely result in cardiac tamponade. The aetiology is often undetermined and presumed idiopathic or viral. This article reviews varicella zoster virus (VZV) associated pericardial effusion and peri/myopericarditis, and constitutes the first report of VZV associated cardiac tamponade in the adult population. Case Summary We report the case of a 59-year-old woman who presented to hospital with pleuritic chest pain, haemodynamic instability, and a recent herpes zoster rash in the left T1 distribution. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a large pericardial effusion and echocardiography showed features of cardiac tamponade. The patient was treated with pericardial drainage. Aspirate analysis revealed abundant polynuclear cells and histocytes with no organism. Polymerase chain reaction did not determine a cause. Discussion There are 13 reported cases of VZV associated peri/myopericarditis in adults in the English literature. Of these only 3 patients had a pericardial effusion. Aetiological diagnosis of an effusion is challenging and rarely made on virological grounds but rather on clinical features. VZV associated pericardial effusion should be considered in patients presenting with haemodynamic instability and a dermatomal rash affecting the C3-C5 and T1-T4 distribution.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.