Sarcoidosis presenting as acute pericarditis. A case report and review of pericardial sarcoidosis.

Cardiac sarcoidosis typically involves the myocardium. Pericardial effusion is uncommon, and symptomatic pericardial disease is even more infrequent. We report the case of a patient presenting with pericarditis as the first manifestation of sarcoidosis. A 50-year-old previously healthy man presented with chest pain and dyspnoea. The electrocardiogram confirmed the diagnosis of pericarditis. Computed tomography of the thorax showed pulmonary infiltrates with mediastinal and hilar adenopathies. Histological analysis of a lymph node biopsy was consistent with sarcoidosis. There was no evidence of myocardial involvement on Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). We reviewed the available English literature and identified 31 cases with sarcoidosis and pericardial involvement. The majority of cases presented as pericardial effusion, which was often the first clinical manifestation of the disease. Pathological diagnosis usually occurs at extra-cardiac locations. Myocardial involvement, an important cause of morbidity and mortality, was found in 25.8% (8/31) of cases. Sarcoidosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with pericardial disease. The optimal treatment regimen and long-term outcome remain largely unknown. Research in cardiac sarcoidosis should include pericardial disease as a separate manifestation in order to improve the management of this rare but likely underdiagnosed condition.