Presentation
Fever and breathlessness
Patient Data
Age: 15 years
Gender: Male
Frontal
Pigtail drainage catheter with the tip projected over the T11 vertebral body. Left chest tube noted within the whiteout left lung. Cardiomegaly.
From the case:
Catheter drainage of tuberculous pericarditis
Transverse
Drainage catheters in situ. Pericardial effusion seen.
Case Discussion
A child with tuberculous pleural and pericardial effusion.
A chest drain was inserted on the left pleura. Pericardial effusion was aspirated with a wide bore needle on 3 occasions, which has reaccumulated. Ultimately a 8F pigtail catheter was inserted under ultrasound guidance.
Pericardial fluid yielded - high adenosine deaminase and lymphocytosis.
Patient gradually improved on anti-tubercular therapy.