Massive pericardial effusion caused by hypothyroidism

Clin Case Rep. 2018 Mar 1;6(4):766-767. doi: 10.1002/ccr3.1447. eCollection 2018 Apr.

Abstract

Although mild pericardial effusion is a usual finding in patients with hypothyroidism, massive pericardial effusion or pericardial tamponade is rare and customarily related to severe hypothyroidism. The diagnosis of hypothyroidism should be considered in the differential of patients presenting with unexplained pericardial effusion, even when signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism are nonexistent.

Keywords: Computed tomography; X‐ray; dyspnea; hypothyroidism; pericardial effusion.