Presentation
Cough, dyspnea, weight loss.
Patient Data
Age: 65
Gender: Female
From the case:
Lung cancer with malignant pericardial effusion
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Case Discussion
A pericardial effusion is characterized by build up of fluid in the pericardial space (a normal pericardiac sac contains approximately 30 - 50 mls of fluid).
The pericardium, including the epicardium (visceral layer of the pericardium) is by far the most commonly affected site. The myocardium can be involved through direct tumor extension from the pericardium. However, malignant melanoma may result in diffuse myocardial involvement through hematogenous spread. Only about 5% of cardiac metastases are endocardial/intracavitary lesions 1.