Postsplenectomy pericardial effusion in two patients with myeloid metaplasia

Self-limited sympathetic pleural effusion is a well-known nonspecific sequela following any upper abdominal surgery, including splenectomy. However, to our knowledge, there is no report in the literature on sympathetic pericardial effusion immediately following splenectomy. We describe two patients with agnogenic myeloid metaplasia and refractory hemolytic anemia in whom pericardial effusion appeared a few days after splenectomy. The possible pathophysiologic mechanism is discussed.