Successfully Managed Case of Cardiac Tamponade due to Tuberculous Pericardial Effusion: A Case Study

Pericardial tuberculosis (TB) is considered a rare form of extra-pulmonary TB that affects up to 2% of patients with TB. Because of its rarity, the clinical presentation of pericardial TB is nonspecific and requires a high degree of clinical suspicion, which may delay the timely diagnosis and intervention and result in late complications and increased mortality. We herein describe a 24-year-old female medical student who was referred to our department of cardiovascular surgery complaining of fever, dyspnea on exertion, orthopnea, edema, nonproductive cough, and fatigue. Imaging studies on the chest showed pericardial effusion and thickened pericardium. The pericardial fluid analysis was positive with TB. Timely management was achieved through cardiac surgery (pericardial window) and medical treatment. Therefore, we conclude that in patients who present with pericardial effusion, TB should be a major suspect, especially in developing countries and successful management could be achieved through pericardial windowing in combination with anti-TB drugs and corticosteroids.