Idiopathic Pericardial Ossification Causing Chronic Constrictive Pericarditis

Abstract

Background

Chronic constrictive pericarditis (CCP) is usually caused by the fibroinflammatory reaction of the visceral and parietal pericardium that encase the heart. The cause of CCP is various including tuberculosis, trauma, prior surgery, radiation, and malignancy.

Material and methods

We examined the pericardiectomy specimen of a case of CCP in a 17-year-old boy.

Results

The histopathology of the pericardium revealed pericardial ossification bony remodeling and hematopoiesis within the intertrabecular marrow spaces. No granulomatous or neoplastic etiology was identified.

Conclusion

Idiopathic pericardial ossification can cause CCP in pediatric patients.

Keywords:

• Chronic constrictive pericarditis
• ossification
• pericardium
• pediatric