Massive pericardial effusion without cardiac tamponade due to subclinical hypothyroidism (Hashimoto's disease).

Massive pericardial effusion without cardiac tamponade due to subclinical hypothyroidism (Hashimoto's disease). Rural Remote Health. 2018 May;18(2):4384 Authors: Papakonstantinou PE, Gourniezakis N, Skiadas C, Patrianakos A, Gikas A Abstract CONTEXT: Hypothyroidism is a significant cause of pericardial effusion. However, large pericardial effusions due to hypothyroidism are extremely rare. Hormone replacement therapy is the cornerstone of treatment for hypothyroidism and regular follow-up of patients after initiation of the therapy is indicated. Herein, the case of a 70-year-old woman with a massive pericardial effusion due to Hashimoto's disease is presented. ISSUES: A 70-year-old female from a rural village on the island of Crete, Greece, was admitted to our hospital due to a urinary tract infection. She was under hormone replacement therapy with levothyroxine 100 µg once a day for Hashimoto's disease. Two years previously, the patient had had an episode of pericarditis due to hypothyroidism and had undergone a computed tomography-guided pericardiocentesis. The patient did not have regular follow-up and did not take the hormone replacement therapy properly. On admission, the patient's chest X-ray incidentally showed a possible pericardial effusion. The patient was referred for echocardiography, which revealed a massive pericardial effusion. Beck's triad was absent. Thyroid hormones were consistent with subclinical...
Source: Rural and Remote Health - Category: Rural Health Tags: Rural Remote Health Source Type: research