When the Heart Is the Target: Case of Primary Pericardial Diffuse Large B‐Cell Lymphoma Presenting With Tamponade

TL;DR

A rare case of primary pericardial lymphoma presented with heart-related symptoms and was successfully treated with chemotherapy.

Contribution

This case highlights the rare occurrence of DLBCL with the pericardium as the primary site.

Findings

The patient presented with pericardial effusion and was diagnosed with DLBCL via pericardial fluid cytology.

Treatment with mini-R-CHOP chemotherapy led to significant clinical improvement.

Pericardial involvement as a primary site of DLBCL is extremely uncommon.

Abstract

Diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is an aggressive malignancy and the most common subtype of non‐Hodgkin lymphoma, typically presenting with lymphadenopathy. Pericardial involvement is extremely rare. We report the case of a patient who presented with cough and shortness of breath and was admitted for acute hypoxic respiratory failure. During hospitalization, the patient developed atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response (RVR). Transthoracic echocardiography revealed a pericardial effusion, which increased in size on repeat imaging 1 week later. The patient subsequently underwent pericardiocentesis, and cytology of the pericardial fluid confirmed DLBCL, with the pericardium identified as the primary site of involvement. The patient was treated with mini‐R‐CHOP chemotherapy, resulting in marked clinical improvement.

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