MASSIVE PERICARDIAL EFFUSION WITH CHOLESTEROL CRYSTALS TREATED BY PERICARDECTOMY

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Abstract
It is established that massive pericardial effusion with a high cholesterol content can occur in patients with myxoedema and that the effusion may not absorb when the patient receives thyroid treatment. A similar effusion may occur rarely in euthyroid patients without any obvious explanation. Aspiration may lead to apparent cure or to pericardial adhesion but pericardectomy seems to be the treatment of choice. A case is described in which a massive pericardial effusion with cholesterol crystals was found in an otherwise normal woman of 40 years of age. The effusion re-formed in spite of aspiration. Pericardectomy was performed and the patient was completely relieved.