Pericardial Effusion and Atrial Thrombosis: A Rare Complication of Childhood Leukemia

authors:

avatar Ahmad Jannati 1 , avatar Mohammadreza Farahmandfar 2 , avatar Maral Namdari 2 , avatar Sirous Cheriki 3 , avatar Soheila Zareifar 2 , *

Department of Pediatrics, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Hematology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Cardiac Department, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

how to cite: Jannati A, Farahmandfar M, Namdari M, Cheriki S, Zareifar S. Pericardial Effusion and Atrial Thrombosis: A Rare Complication of Childhood Leukemia. Iran J Pediatr. 2012;22(1): 117-120. 

Abstract

Background: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common malignancy diagnosed in children. Extramedullary leukemia including hepatosplenomegaly, lymphadenopathy, and mediastinal mass are the clinical presentations of T-cell ALL. Pericardial effusion and atrial mass are rare presentations of pediatric leukemia.
Case Presentation: We report a 15-year-old girl with T-cell ALL, who presented initially with pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade and subsequently developed right atrial mass. The mediastinal and right atrial masses were excised by surgical procedure as a treatment strategy for prevention of arrhythmia and sudden death.
Conclusion: T-cell ALL can present with pericardial and mediastinal involvement as an initial manifestation. Pericardiocenthesis and systemic anticancer chemotherapy without local chemotherapy should be considered in these cases.
 

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