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Diagnosis of tuberculous aetiology in pericardial effusions

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Professor George Cherian
Narayana Hrudayalaya, 258/A-Bommasandra Industrial Area, Anekal Taluk, Bangalore 562 158, India; gcherian{at}vsnl.net

The diagnosis of tuberculous aetiology in pericardial effusions is important since the prognosis is excellent with specific treatment. The clinical features may not be distinctive and the diagnosis could be missed particularly with tamponade. With the spread of HIV infection the incidence has increased. The diagnosis largely depends on histopathology of the pericardial tissue or culture of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from this tissue or fluid, but patients without haemodynamic compromise do not require pericardiocentesis. Histopathology may, however, show non-specific findings in a significant number. This review is an update on the diagnostic difficulties, current research, and criteria for diagnosis.

Keywords: tuberculosis; pericardial effusions; mediastinal nodes

Abbreviations: MRI, magnetic resonance imaging; PCR, polymerase chain reaction; TPE, tuberculous pericardial effusion

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