Protein-losing enteropathy as the principal manifestation of constrictive pericarditis

J Gen Intern Med. 2005 Oct;20(10):C5-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1525-1497.2005.0202_3.x.

Abstract

Constrictive pericarditis represents a rare cause of protein-losing enteropathy due to intestinal lymphangiectasia. We report the case of a patient with an atypical clinical presentation of constrictive pericarditis and protein-losing enteropathy as its principal manifestation; he was successfully treated with pericardiectomy. We conclude that, constrictive pericarditis should be considered in the presence of protein losing enteropathy and also, protein-losing enteropathy should be considered in the differential diagnosis of hypoalbuminemia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Biopsy
  • Dyspnea / etiology
  • Humans
  • Intestinal Mucosa / pathology
  • Male
  • Organotechnetium Compounds
  • Pericarditis, Constrictive / diagnosis*
  • Pericarditis, Constrictive / diagnostic imaging
  • Pericarditis, Constrictive / etiology
  • Pericarditis, Constrictive / surgery
  • Pericardium / pathology
  • Pericardium / surgery
  • Protein-Losing Enteropathies / complications*
  • Protein-Losing Enteropathies / pathology
  • Radioisotopes
  • Radionuclide Imaging
  • Serum Albumin

Substances

  • Organotechnetium Compounds
  • Radioisotopes
  • Serum Albumin
  • technetium Tc 99m serum albumin