Tuberculous constrictive pericarditis diagnosed by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging: A case report.
Constrictive pericarditis (CP) is a diagnostic challenge due to its nonspecific and insidious presentation.
A 38-year-old man presented with bilateral lower limb edema and exertional dyspnea.
Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated pericardial thickening, late gadolinium enhancement, and interventricular septal bounce. Tuberculous CP was considered based on imaging findings, positive interferon-gamma release assay, therapeutic response, and epidemiologic background.
The patient was treated with anti-tuberculosis therapy without surgical pericardiectomy.
Follow-up imaging showed near-complete resolution of pericardial thickening and effusion, with sustained clinical improvement.
This case highlights the value of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in the early diagnosis of inflammatory CP and supports the role of medical therapy in selected patients.
A 38-year-old man presented with bilateral lower limb edema and exertional dyspnea.
Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated pericardial thickening, late gadolinium enhancement, and interventricular septal bounce. Tuberculous CP was considered based on imaging findings, positive interferon-gamma release assay, therapeutic response, and epidemiologic background.
The patient was treated with anti-tuberculosis therapy without surgical pericardiectomy.
Follow-up imaging showed near-complete resolution of pericardial thickening and effusion, with sustained clinical improvement.
This case highlights the value of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in the early diagnosis of inflammatory CP and supports the role of medical therapy in selected patients.