Publication:

Diagnostic dilemma in a child with bilateral empyema and pyopericardium: a case report

Tubercular pericardial effusion in children is a rare, severe form of extrapulmonary TB, often presenting with fever, cough, tachycardia, and dyspnea, with a high incidence of cardiac tamponade. Diagnosis relies on echocardiography and pericardial fluid analysis, with treatment involving anti-tubercular therapy (ATT) and pericardiocentesis. Here we present the case of a child with bilateral pleural effusion and pericardial effusion, which was clinico-radiologically proven to be tubercular in origin and required pericardiocentesis to manage the impending cardiac tamponade.