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Purulent pericarditis after liver abscess: a case report
María Fidalgo García1, Juan Carlos Rodríguez Sanjuán2, María Riaño Molleda1
1General Surgery and Digestive Surgery Department, University Hospital Marqués de Valdecilla, Santander, 39008 Cantabria, Spain.
Case Reports in Medicine
|May 30, 2014
Summary
A surgical site infection led to purulent pericarditis and cardiac tamponade in a patient. Prompt drainage and antibiotics successfully treated the infection, with only mild effusive-constrictive pericarditis remaining.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Cardiology
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- A 49-year-old woman with hepatic metastasis presented with respiratory failure and hemodynamic instability.
- She developed purulent pericarditis, cardiac tamponade, and pleural effusion secondary to a surgical site infection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a case of purulent pericarditis originating from a surgical site infection.
- To highlight the diagnostic and management challenges in critically ill patients.
Main Methods:
- Clinical case presentation.
- Diagnostic workup including cultures of surgical wound and pericardial effusion.
- Interventions: pericardial tap, surgical drainage of intra-abdominal abscess, pleural effusion evacuation.
- Management with antibiotic therapy.
Main Results:
- Cultures identified Enterococcus faecalis and Escherichia coli.
- Successful treatment of infection with drainage and antibiotics.
- Patient recovered with residual effusive-constrictive pericarditis.
Conclusions:
- Surgical site infections can lead to severe intrathoracic complications like purulent pericarditis.
- Multidisciplinary management is crucial for favorable outcomes in complex cases.
- Early recognition and intervention are key to preventing mortality.
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