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Pericardial effusion requiring pericardiocentesis in a girl with anorexia nervosa
Author(s) -
Polli Nicoletta,
Blengino Simonetta,
Moro Mirella,
Zappulli Daniela,
Scacchi Massimo,
Cavagnini Francesco
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
international journal of eating disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.785
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1098-108X
pISSN - 0276-3478
DOI - 10.1002/eat.20307
Subject(s) - pericardiocentesis , pericardial effusion , anorexia nervosa , medicine , cardiac tamponade , girl , pericardial fluid , tamponade , effusion , anorexia , surgery , eating disorders , psychiatry , psychology , developmental psychology
Objective: Silent pericardial effusion is frequently observed in patients with anorexia nervosa. The nature of the pericardial fluid could never be established, as pericardiocentesis was ethically unfeasible. Method: We describe the case of a girl with anorexia nervosa in whom an initial, clinically irrelevant pericardial effusion increased rapidly, making pericardiocentesis necessary to prevent cardiac tamponade. Results: It was thus possible to exclude the inflammatory or infectious nature of the pericardial fluid, although the pathogenesis of this cardiac alteration remains obscure. Conclusion: Echocardiographic examination appears to be strongly advisable in patients with anorexia nervosa. © 2006 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2006