[A girl with dyspnea and an enlarged liver].

Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd

Noordwest Ziekenhuisgroep Alkmaar.

Published: October 2021

Background: During winter, the influenza and Respiratory Syncytial Virus season, children are often seen in the emergency department with fever and respiratory symptoms.

Case Description: We describe the case of a 2-year-old girl with fever, dyspnea and signs of heart failure during physical examination. Echocardiogram showed a large amount of pericardial effusion with signs of cardiac tamponade. Pericardiocentesis showed 200 ml purulent liquid. Surgical drainage was performed. However pericardial effusion recurred. Because constrictive pericarditis was feared, a pericardiectomy was performed after which the patient recovered. Cultures showed Haemophilus influenzae type b and the patient was treated with amoxicillin for 4 weeks in total.

Conclusion: Fever and dyspnea may also be caused by a problem outside the respiratory system. With physical examination a cardiac cause, such as pericarditis, can be detected. An ECG is easily obtained and can help in the differential diagnosis. An echocardiogram can confirm the diagnosis.

Download full-text PDF

Source

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

fever dyspnea
8
physical examination
8
pericardial effusion
8
girl dyspnea
4
dyspnea enlarged
4
enlarged liver]
4
liver] background
4
background winter
4
winter influenza
4
influenza respiratory
4

Similar Publications

BACKGROUND Human metapneumovirus (hMPV), classified in the Pneumoviridae family, is primarily known for causing lower respiratory tract infections in children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. However, rare instances have shown that hMPV can also affect other systems, such as the cardiovascular system, leading to conditions like myocarditis. CASE REPORT We describe a 68-year-old man with a medical history of diabetes, hypertension, and liver cirrhosis who presented to the Emergency Department (ED) exhibiting symptoms of fever, cough, and dyspnea.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Decoding community-acquired pneumonia: a systematic review and analysis of diagnostic criteria and definitions used in clinical trials.

Clin Microbiol Infect

December 2024

Division of Immunology, Immunity to Infection and Respiratory Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK; North West Lung Centre, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK.

Background: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a frequent and potentially life-threatening condition. Even though the disease is common, evidence on CAP management is often of variable quality. This may be reinforced by the lack of a systematic and homogeneous way of defining the disease in randomised controlled trials (RCTs).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Beyond The Basics: Unveiling Superior Vena Cava Compression in Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

Cureus

November 2024

Internal Medicine/Pulmonary Critical Care, Appalachian Regional Healthcare, Harlan, USA.

Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) is a malignancy of the lymphocytes in the lymph nodes and presents with non-specific systemic symptoms like fever, night sweats, and weight loss. While HL often involves the mediastinum, it rarely causes superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome, and eosinophilia is noted in approximately 15% of cases. Here, we report a unique presentation of HL in a 52-year-old male with a history of chronic pruritus, chronic kidney disease, and inactive hepatitis B.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by damage to organs and cells, initially mediated by tissue-binding autoantibodies and immune complexes. Lymphomas have been frequently reported, but the association of SLE with acute leukemia is rare and likely coincidental. We report a case of a 40-year-old female admitted for an etiological diagnosis of fever and dyspnea with peripheral edema.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Amiodarone, a widely used antiarrhythmic medication, is effective for managing various types of cardiac arrhythmias. However, due to its high lipid solubility and long half-life, amiodarone accumulates in various organs, particularly the lungs. Pulmonary toxicity, while rare (1% to 5% incidence), is among the most serious adverse effects of amiodarone, with interstitial pneumonitis (IP) being the most prevalent form of lung toxicity.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!