Recurrent Pericardial Effusion Secondary to Sarcoidosis of the Pericardium

Abstract

SARCOIDOSIS is a disease of unknown cause that has been reported to involve virtually every organ. Involvement of the pericardium, however, is an uncommon pathological finding, and, to date, there have been no well documented cases of a pericardial effusion secondary to pericardial sarcoidosis. The patient with generalized sarcoidosis described below underwent a thoracotomy and partial pericardiectomy for the diagnosis and treatment of recurrent pericardial effusion. This effusion was shown to be due to sarcoid involvement of the pericardium.Case ReportA 31-year-old Negro woman was hospitalized on July 4, 1966, with a 2-week history of weight loss, fever and . . .