A Rare Constrictive Pericarditis with Complete Separation between the Visceral and Parietal Pericardium: A Case Report

Abstract

Background: Pericarditis is the most common form of pericardial disease, while constrictive pericarditis is challenging in diagnosis and is easily overlooked. Case report: A 30-year-old female presented with abdominal distension and mild lower extremity edema for 3 months. The patient was initially suspected of having cirrhosis caused by Wilson Disease. Following liver biopsy and multiple investigation, thickened, calcified pericardium was detected by echocardiography and chest computed tomography. The patient was finally diagnosed with chronic constrictive pericarditis and received pericardiectomy. Intraoperatively, we found that the heart was entirely constricted by the thickened and calcified visceral pericardium, which was completely separated from the parietal pericardium. The patient received successful pericardiectomy and had relief of symptoms after surgery. Conclusion: Patients with constrictive pericarditis may present with symptoms similar to that of chronic liver diseases, which makes it difficult and complicated for diagnosis. This case highlights the importance of comprehensive preoperative evaluation and maintaining clinical suspicion of pericarditis in patients with features of elevated systemic venous pressure. In addition, constrictive pericarditis with complete separation between visceral and parietal pericardium has seldom been reported.