Unmasking a Rare Case of Long-Standing Minimal Pericardial Effusion in Dermatomyositis

TL;DR

A rare case shows that dermatomyositis can cause a long-term pericardial effusion without other obvious symptoms.

Contribution

Highlights an unusual presentation of dermatomyositis as a persistent pericardial effusion without typical symptoms.

Findings

A patient had a long-standing pericardial effusion caused by dermatomyositis.

The patient's symptoms worsened after receiving antitubercular therapy.

This case emphasizes the need to consider dermatomyositis in unexplained pericardial effusions.

Abstract

We report an extremely rare case of long-standing (> six months) minimal pericardial effusion attributed to dermatomyositis. The patient was inadvertently administered antitubercular drug therapy for three months after which the patient developed significant weight loss, extreme anorexia, nausea, and vomiting refractory to conventional management. The key message in the manuscript is that even indolent dermatomyositis can present solely as an unexplained pericardial effusion in an individual.

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