Constrictive pericarditis presenting as massive ascites in children: report of one case

Abdominal distension has been described as the most common presenting symptom in children with constrictive pericarditis. This report describes a 13-year-old boy who had abdominal distension with massive ascite and hepatosplenomegaly as an initial presentation. The physical signs of jugular vein engorgement and gallop rhythm as well as the pericardial calcification on the chest roentgenogram lead to the diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis. After ultrafast computed tomography and cardiac catheterization confirmation, the patient received a pericardiectomy with excellent relief of symptoms. Pathology of the pericardium reveals fibrocalcified change, but no acid fast stained bacillus nor granulomatous lesion was observed. The incidence of constrictive pericarditis with evident pericardial calcification in children is extremely low. The diagnostic value of the chest roentgenogram and physical findings for the constrictive pericarditis are addressed.