Pericarditis as a consequence and first symptom of microcellular lung carcinoma--case report

A case of a patient suffering from Streptococcal suppurative pericarditis with cardiac tamponade and acute renal failure as a first symptom of disseminated lung cancer is presented. The examination of pericardial fluid only confirmed Streptococcal infection as a cause of exudative pericarditis. The neoplasmatic cells were not found in the examined fluid. Next, chest CT and bronchoscopy were performed due to the lack of clinical improvement, recurrence of severe pericardial effusion and enlargement of the upper mediastinum found on chest radiogram. CT and bronchoscopy allowed to establish the final diagnosis - disseminated lung cancer.