Constrictive pericarditis secondary to infection with Mycoplasma pneumoniae

Abstract

Pericardial effusions can be insidious, variable in presentation, and may result from a wide variety of causes. We report here a rare case of pericardial effusion in a pediatric patient secondary to infection with Mycoplasma pneumoniae that progressed to cardiac tamponade and constrictive pericarditis. The differential diagnosis of pericardial effusion is reviewed as well as current treatments for pericardial effusions and constrictive pericarditis.