The syndrome of pericarditis, arthritis, and camptodactyly: an under-recognized cause of pericardial constriction in children?

The syndrome encompassing the combination of pericarditis, arthritis, and camptodactyly is a rarely described cause of pericardial constriction in children. It is likely that this association is being under-recognized. We report a new case in which the skeletal abnormalities were subtle. The syndrome should be included in the differential diagnosis of any child with persistent non-inflammatory pericardial effusion. A careful search at the bedside for the associated skeletal abnormalities should lead to the correct diagnosis. Pericardiectomy is the treatment of choice.