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Malignant pericardial effusion--an uncommon complication of multiple myeloma: case report

Louis E Samuels1, Philbert Y Van, Douglas E Gladstone

  • 1Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Lankenau Hospital, Wynnewood, Pennsylvania 19096, USA. SamuelsLE@aol.com

The Heart Surgery Forum
|March 17, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Multiple myeloma can rarely cause fluid buildup around the heart and lungs. Surgical drainage via a pleuropericardial window effectively treated this rare complication.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Cardiology
  • Pulmonology

Background:

  • Multiple myeloma is a plasma cell malignancy primarily affecting bone.
  • Malignant plasma cell infiltration of the pericardium is a rare but serious complication.
  • Pericardial effusions in multiple myeloma can lead to life-threatening cardiac tamponade.

Observation:

  • A patient with multiple myeloma presented with secondary pericardial and pleural effusions.
  • These effusions were attributed to extramedullary plasma cell infiltration.
  • The patient developed symptoms consistent with cardiac tamponade due to fluid accumulation.

Findings:

  • Surgical intervention was performed to address the effusions.
  • A pleuropericardial window was created to drain the accumulated pericardial and pleural fluid.
  • This procedure provided symptomatic relief and managed the cardiac tamponade.

Implications:

  • Highlights the importance of considering rare extramedullary manifestations of multiple myeloma.
  • Demonstrates the efficacy of surgical drainage for managing pericardial and pleural effusions in these patients.
  • Emphasizes the need for prompt diagnosis and intervention to prevent cardiac tamponade.

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