Symptomatic pericardial effusion in Hodgkin's lymphoma: a rare occurrence. Case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Pericardial effusion is observed in approximately 5% of patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma but is rarely symptomatic. We report a case in which a 21-year-old woman with newly diagnosed Hodgkin's lymphoma was found to have symptoms and radiographic evidence of pericardial effusion. Symptomatic pericardial effusion in patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma is extremely rare, with few reports in the literature. The mechanism for the heart and pericardial involvement is reviewed along with a description of the presenting symptoms and differential diagnosis.