Abstract
We hereby report on 13 cases of pericardial tamponade as the first manifestation of an adenocarcinoma. The primary tumor was detected in 10 cases: 7 lung, 1 stomach, 1 breast and 1 thyroid. A first cytologic examination of the pericardial fluid yielded the diagnosis of adenocarcinoma in 10 cases, whereas a second cytology was needed in another two cases. The pericardial biopsy was positive in 7 out of 7 patients. The therapeutic procedures included pericardiocentesis in 9 patients (6 of whom had recurrent tamponade), a pericardial window in 4 and pericardiotomy in 4 (without recurrences). The mean survival was 4 months.
MeSH terms
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Adenocarcinoma / complications*
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Adenocarcinoma / pathology
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Adult
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Biopsy
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Breast Neoplasms / complications
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Cardiac Tamponade / diagnostic imaging
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Cardiac Tamponade / etiology*
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Chest Pain / etiology
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Cough / etiology
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Dyspnea / etiology
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Echocardiography
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Female
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Humans
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Jugular Veins / pathology
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Lung Neoplasms / complications
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Paracentesis
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Pericardial Effusion / diagnostic imaging
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Pericardial Effusion / etiology
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Pericardial Effusion / pathology
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Pericardial Window Techniques
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Pericardiectomy
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Recurrence
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Stomach Neoplasms / complications
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Survival Rate
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Thoracic Neoplasms / complications*
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Thyroid Neoplasms / complications