Hemophilus influenzae purulent pericarditis in children

Large pericardial effusions of inflammatory origin in childhood

“…15 That may be explained in part because we did not encounter any instance of tuberculous effusion, an aetiology which is well known to result in constrictive pericarditis 16 (see addendum). Despite previous reports of development of constriction subsequent to bacterial pericarditis, 7,8,17 we have not yet encountered this complication, which may occur even without evidence of earlier pericardial disease. 18 Based on our experience, we conclude that large pericardial effusions are rare in childhood.…”

Associação De Meningite E Pericardite Na Doença Pneumocócica Invasiva: Um Caso Raro

“… 19 However, when medical and surgical treatments are combined, the mortality rate of purulent pericarditis is reduced to 20% or less. 20 …”

Pericardial tamponade caused by pneumococcus in a 6-month-old child

“…Typical signs of pericarditis, such as pulsus paradoxus, friction rub, distended neck veins, and distant heart sounds, are not always present. The classical electrocardiographic feature of pericarditis, a raised ST segment caused by epicardial injury, is also rare in purulent pericarditis [6]. Pericardial friction rub is not common because of the large amount of pus in the pericardial cavity.…”

“…Pericardial fluid can be seen by computerized tomography but may delay definitive intervention. The mortality in purulent pericarditis is reduced to 20% or less when medical and surgical treatments are combined [6]. The major complication for purulent pericarditis is cardiac tamponade.…”