Associated Pleural and Pericardial Effusions: An Extensive Differential Explored

Ami Schattner

doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2020.11.001

Associated Pleural and Pericardial Effusions: An Extensive Differential Explored

Am J Med. 2021 Apr;134(4):435-443.e5. doi: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2020.11.001. Epub 2020 Nov 9.

Author

Ami Schattner¹

Affiliation

¹ The Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University and Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel. Electronic address: amischatt@gmail.com.

PMID: 33181104
DOI: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2020.11.001

Abstract

Concurrent pleural and pericardial effusions are not an unusual finding, but their differential diagnosis remains uncertain. Medline-based review identified an extensive list of infectious, inflammatory, neoplastic, iatrogenic, and myriad other etiologies. A single retrospective study had addressed this presentation. Several principles of a diagnostic workup are suggested, acknowledging that a significant minority of patients may not require a comprehensive workup and remain 'idiopathic'.

Keywords: Concurrent effusions; Diagnosis; Echocardiography.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Echocardiography
Humans
Pericardial Effusion / complications*
Pericardial Effusion / diagnosis*
Pleural Effusion / complications*
Pleural Effusion / diagnosis*