Pericarditis Complicating Ulcerative Colitis

Abstract

: Pericarditis occurs rarely in association with inflammatory bowel disease. Because life-threatening complications may occur, pericarditis should be suspected in patients who present with chest symptoms. We report the case of a 28-year-old patient with ulcerative colitis who presented with pericarditis during an active disease exacerbation. The patient responded well to steroids and was discharged in good condition on day 9 after admission to the hospital. A review of the previously reported cases of pericarditis complicating inflammatory bowel disease is given.

Massive Pericardial Effusion in a Child Following the Administration of Mesalamine

“…In all, a review of the literature failed to produce a report of a patient <18 years of age with a pericardial effusion attributable solely as an extraintestinal manifestation of IBD. In addition, nearly 80% of IBD‐associated pericarditis and pericardial effusions are treated with corticosteroids (28). The patient in this case, however, developed a pericardial effusion despite taking prednisone for >3 weeks before her presentation.…”

“…Although cardiac involvement is an accepted extraintestinal manifestation of IBD, pericarditis is rarely reported. Hinterreiter et al (28) described 39 reported cases of cardiac involvement believed to be related to IBD during the past 30 years. Of these 39 patients, 28 were taking sulfasalazine at the time they developed pericarditis.…”