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Case Reports
. 2014 May 3:18:15.
doi: 10.11604/pamj.2014.18.15.2469. eCollection 2014.

Pericardial tamponade and coexisting pulmonary embolism as first manifestation of non-advanced lung adenocarcinoma

Salwa Akhbour  1 , Brahim Amine Khennine  1 , Latifa Oukerraj  1 , Jamila Zarzur  1 , Mohamed cherti  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Pericardial tamponade and coexisting pulmonary embolism as first manifestation of non-advanced lung adenocarcinoma

Salwa Akhbour et al. Pan Afr Med J. .

Abstract

Pericardial effusion and pulmonary embolism are relatively common complications of malignancy and are uncommon as its initial manifestation. This report describes a case of a patient, who presented with this association, due to an underlying pulmonary adenocarcinoma. When a major pericardial effusion is associated with pulmonary hypertension, some echocardiographic signs may redress the diagnosis. This case emphasizes a challenge diagnostic which may be guided by high right ventricular pressure and on the other hand the importance of keeping both these conditions in mind when dealing with context of malignancy.

Keywords: Pericardial tamponade; lung adenocarcinoma; pulmonary embolism.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Transthoracic echocardiography (apical 4-chamber View) Large pericardial effusion with right atrial diastolic collapse (A) which missing at systole (B). Note the absence of right ventricular collapse. RA: right atrium
Figure 2
Figure 2
Respiratory variation in mitral flow velocities >25%
Figure 3
Figure 3
A chest computed tomography scan showing mass lesion in the right lower lung lobe (arrow), and bilateral proximal pulmonary embolism (PE)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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