Recurrent Pericardial Effusion Due to Panhypopituitarism: A Rare Case Report

A female patient, 48 years of age, with a complaint of recurrent episodes of diffuse chest pain, vertigo, and shortness of breath in the last five years, presented needing immediate medical attention.

The patient was evaluated and suspected of severe hypotension, cold hands, and feet with distended neck veins and muffled heart sounds. ECG revealed low voltage complexes and large pericardial effusion with a collapse in the diastole of the right auricle and ventricle. The provisional diagnosis was kept as pericardial effusion with hemodynamic compromise. Detailed history disclosed that she had suffered similar events five years before, during which a pericardial tap was performed, and the patient was on anti-tuberculosis treatment for nine months. The symptoms continued despite the treatments. She had a history of severe postpartum hemorrhage, failure of lactation, and early menopause with a history of hysterectomy dated ten years back. The biochemical study indicated decreased LH, FSH, TSH, ACTH, and serum cortisol levels. MRI brain revealed empty sella. The hormonal replacement was started with clinical improvement.

Although hypothyroidism is an extremely rare cause of pericardial effusion, detailed history and further investigations are imperative to form a definitive diagnosis.