Analysis of causes and misdiagnosis of pericardial effusion:a report of 81 cases

Objective:To summarize the causes and reasons for misdiagnosis of pericardial effusion.Methods:The clinical data of 81 cases of pericardial effusion during 2002 to 2010 in Lu'an Hospital were analyzed retrospectively.Results:Among the 81 cases of pericardial effusion,19 were induced by tumor(23.4%),16 by tuberculosis(16.0%),11 heart failure(13.6%),9 nonspecific causes(11.1%),7 hypothyroidism(8.6%),5 uremia(6.2%) and 17 other causes or unknown causes(20.1%),misdiagnosis occurred in 9 cases(11.1%).Conclusions:Tumor is the leading cause of pericardial effusion.Tumor-induced pericardial effusion is most easily misdiagnosed as that induced by tuberculosis or nonspecific causes