Background: Elevated adenosine deaminase (ADA) and normal tumor markers in pericardial or pleural effusion are usually considered to be a specific manifestation of benign pericardial or pleural effusion. Here we report a case of lung adenocarcinoma with pericardial metastasis with elevated ADA and normal tumor markers in pericardial effusion.
Methods: Pericardiocentesis and lung puncture combined laboratory indexes and pathology were performed for diagnosis.
Results: Analysis of pericardial fluid revealed a white blood cell (WBC) count of 2,000 x 106/L (70% for lymphocytes) with an ADA level of 72.8 U/mL. Pathology of pericardial effusion found no malignant cells. Histopathology of percutaneous lung puncture showed adenocarcinoma.
Conclusions: ADA and tumor markers were not a specific index in differential diagnosis between tuberculosis and metastasis in pericardial effusion.