Journal List > Tuberc Respir Dis > v.70(4) > 1001613

Park, Park, An, Jang, Kim, An, Hong, Lim, Kim, Seo, and Park: A Case of Tuberculous Pericardial Abscess Mimicking Thymic Carcinoma

Abstract

We report here an unusual case of pericardial tuberculoma that was misdiagnosed as thymic carcinoma on an imaging study. A 48-year-old woman was referred for evaluation of an anterior mediastinal mass. Computed tomography (CT) scans of the chest displayed cystic masses mimicking thymic carcinoma at the anterior mediastinum. Pericardiotomy and surgical drainage of the cystic masses were done, and pathologic examination of the excised pericardial specimen showed a chronic granulomatous inflammation with necrosis, compatible with tuberculosis. Acid-fast bacilli were also identified in the specimen. After treatment with anti-tuberculosis drugs and steroids, the patient showed clinical improvement. Although tuberculous pericarditis usually presents as pericardial effusion or constrictive pericarditis, it can also present as a pericardial mass mimicking thymic carcinoma on CT. Therefore, we suggest that tuberculous pericardial abscess should be included in the differential diagnosis of a mediastinal mass in Korea, with intermediate tuberculosis prevalence.

Figures and Tables

Figure 1
(A) Chest PA on admission shows anterior mediastinal widening with left pleural effusion. (B, C) Initial chest CT scans with transverse and coronal images. Chest CT scan displays multi-loculated two cystic masses at the anterior mediastinum (white arrow, 10.5×4.2 cm; black arrow, 6.8×1.7 cm) with peripheral enhancement. No foci of calcification were observed within the mass. PA: Posterior anterior; CT: computed tomography.
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Figure 2
PET/CT images show FDG uptake in the pericardial lesion with a maximal SUV of 8.3 and central photon defect area. PET: positron emission tomography; CT: computed tomography; FDG: fludeoxyglucose; SUV: standardized uptake value.
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Figure 3
(A) Pathologic examination of the excised pericardial specimen shows a chronic granulomatous inflammation with necrosis, compatible with tuberculosis (H&E stain, ×100). (B) Acid-fast bacillus was also indentified (black arrow, AFB stain, ×200).
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