Sarcoidosis: an unusual cause of acute pericarditis

Abstract

Mild to moderate asymptomatic pericardial effusions are commonly detected in patients with biopsyproven sarcoidosis. However, symptomatic pericarditis is rare during the course of the disease. All reported cases at presentation were life-threatening tamponades.We describe the first case of a patient in whom sarcoidosis was revealed by an acute benign pericarditis persisting despite administration of colchicine and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Similar cases may have been ignored since the initial diagnosis of sarcoidosis is challenging and corticosteroids are frequently given to patients with persistent chest pain. Clinicians should consider the possibility of sarcoidosis in case of pericarditis resistant to first-line therapy.

Key Words:

• Acute pericarditis
• sarcoidosis