Intrapericardial instillation of cisplatin in a patient with a large malignant effusion

Cisplatin (10 mg in 50 ml normal saline) was administered daily for five days directly into the pericardial cavity of a patient with metastatic nonsmall cell lung cancer and a malignant pericardial effusion. No systemic or local side effects were observed. A dramatic decrease in reaccumulation of pericardial fluid was noted which persisted until the patient's death four months later. On the basis of this experience, further investigation of the intrapericardial administration of cisplatin as treatment to control malignant pericardial effusions appears warranted.