Post pulmonary embolism pericarditis. A rare entity diagnosed by combined lung scanning and chest radiograph study

A patient is described in whom pericarditis appeared a few days after pulmonary embolism. Prompt improvement was noted following corticosteroid therapy. The possibility of pericarditis appearing following pulmonary embolism should be kept in mind, considering that both entities present with similar clinical manifestations but require different therapeutic approaches. The combination of ventilation and perfusion lung scanning and plain chest radiographs for the prompt and early diagnosis of post pulmonary embolism pericarditis, is illustrated.