An Unusual Hodgkin's Lymphoma Journey: Cardiac Tamponade, Primary Refractoriness, Immune Thrombocytopenia, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Abstract

Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) is a lymphoid neoplasm in which malignant Hodgkin or Reed-Sternberg cells are present in tissues mixed with heterogeneous non-malignant inflammatory cells. Pericardial effusion (PEEF) in HL is rare. Furthermore, hemodynamically significant effusions causing cardiac tamponade (CTp) are exceedingly uncommon. CTp as the initial presentation of HL is extremely rare. We describe the case of a 21year-old man who presented with CTp requiring pericardiocentesis. On further workup, he was found to have a large mediastinal mass with a biopsy consistent with classic HL. His clinical course was complicated by the development of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Hodgkin Lymphoma Presenting as Cardiac Tamponade in a Young Female

“…However, he was complicated by disseminated nontyphoidal salmonellosis, which was not an issue in our patient [ 3 ]. Similar management was reported by Chango Azanza and Vredenburgh who described a young male who complained of worsening exertional dyspnea and orthopnea for more than a month [ 12 ]. The echocardiogram showed a hemodynamically significant large pericardial effusion, which was treated with pericardiocentesis and pericardial drain.…”

“…The echocardiogram showed a hemodynamically significant large pericardial effusion, which was treated with pericardiocentesis and pericardial drain. After a CT-guided biopsy of the mediastinal mass, the diagnosis of nodular sclerosis HL was confirmed [ 12 ]. All patients were young individuals who presented with symptoms lasting more than a week.…”