Primary Pericardial Mesothelioma, Which Was Veiled by a Pleural Empyema: A Case Report and Review

Abstract

This case report shows that pleural empyema limits the diagnostic significance of imaging techniques. Hereafter, we present the case of an 82-year-old patient with primary pericardial mesothelioma, which was veiled by a pleural empyema. The patient met the typical triad of signs of heart failure (dyspnea, lower leg oedema), pericardial effusion, and pericarditis. Echocardiography in the identification of pericardial mesotheliomas is low. In this case, the cardiac function could be imaged well, but the tumor could not be imaged. The CT showed a pericardial effusion and a pleural effusion. Here, the tumor could not be diagnosed either. Only the operation led to diagnosis.