Pericardial Tuberculosis in a Non-endemic Region Presenting as a Persistent Upper Respiratory Tract Infection With Negative Serology, Bronchial Washings, and Pleural Aspirate

TL;DR

A man in a non-TB region was diagnosed with pericardial tuberculosis after initial tests were negative, highlighting the challenges of diagnosing rare cases.

Contribution

This case presents a rare diagnosis of pericardial TB in a non-endemic region with negative initial tests, emphasizing the need for alternative diagnostic strategies.

Findings

Pericardial TB was diagnosed after negative TB serology, bronchial washings, and pleural aspirate.

The patient showed a good clinical response to anti-TB therapy following pericardiectomy.

The case underscores the diagnostic challenges of TB in non-endemic regions.

Abstract

This paper reports on the unlikely case of a 68-year-old man presenting with a non-resolving, mild lower respiratory tract infection, subsequently diagnosed with pericardial tuberculosis (TB) in the absence of TB risk factors and with negative TB serology.

Pericardial and pleural effusions were found incidentally on CT pulmonary angiogram, with a small pericardial effusion without tamponade seen on the echocardiogram. During his three-month inpatient stay, the patient was rarely very unwell, though no treatment led to clinical and biochemical resolution of symptoms. Later deterioration prompted another echocardiogram, which found a moderate-sized pericardial effusion, septal bounce, and new regional wall motion abnormalities. To avert the impending cardiac tamponade, the patient underwent pericardiectomy, which provided a tissue diagnosis of TB.

Pericardial TB is extremely uncommon, especially outside of TB endemic regions, though it is well described. This case is especially noteworthy, as serology, bronchial washings, and pleural aspirate had been negative for TB though a Quantiferon test was positive. The diagnosis was only confirmed after pericardiectomy. The patient was subsequently treated with anti-TB therapy, with a good clinical response. This case highlights diagnostic challenges and strategies for investigating and managing similar complex scenarios, particularly in non-endemic settings.

Figures