[Primary effusion lymphoma complicating cardiac tamponade: a case report].

A 76-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of exertional dyspnea and leg edema during the previous month. Her systolic blood pressure on admission was 80 mmHg with 12 mmHg of pulsus paradoxous, and her pulse rate was 110 beats/min. Chest radiography revealed marked cardiomegaly and echocardiography showed massive pericardial effusion mainly behind the left ventricle and collapse of the right ventricle. The initial diagnosis was pericardial tamponade. Pericardiocentesis and pericardial drainage revealed bloody pericardial effusion. After drainage, her vital signs improved and her symptoms immediately disappeared. The cytological analysis of the pericardial effusion revealed numerous lymphoma cells. Computed tomography of the neck, chest and abdomen showed no evidence of tumor masses, lymph node enlargement, or hepatosplenomegaly. Infectious disease, collagen disease and aortic dissection were excluded. The final diagnosis was primary effusion lymphoma. The prognosis of primary effusion lymphoma is generally unfavorable because it is frequently accompanied by immunodeficiency disease. However, there was no human immunodeficiency virus infection in this patient. Fortunately, the effect of chemotherapy was excellent and the patient is doing well 1 year after the diagnosis.