Erysipelas Complicated with Acute Exudative Pericarditis

Abstract

Erysipelas is a common skin infection of the upper dermis. Its most common complications are local; these include abscess formation, skin necrosis, etc. In the present article, we introduce a case of a 75-year-old patient with erysipelas of the face complicated with acute exudative pericarditis. The patient came to Kaunas Clinical Hospital complaining of extreme fatigue and fever, oedema of the left side of the face, and erythema typical for erysipelas. The patient also felt sternum and epigastric pain, especially during breathing, and dyspnoea. Heart work was rhythmic 100 bpm; blood pressure was 142/70 mmHg. Pericardial friction rub was heard over the left sternal border. There were no alterations in other systems. In the electrocardiogram, concave ST segment elevation in leads II, III, and aVF was identified. In addition, during hospitalisation, the patient experienced atrial fibrillation paroxysm, which was treated with amiodarone intravenously. The blood test showed C-reactive protein: 286 mg/L; white blood cells: 20 × 109/L; troponin I was within the normal range. During echocardiography, pericardial fluid in pericardial cavity was identified. As no changes in troponin I were observed, according to the ST segment elevation, the woman was diagnosed with erysipelas of the left side of the face complicated with acute exudative pericarditis. Antibacterial treatment of cephalosporins was administered. After the treatment, C-reactive protein decreased to 27.8 mg/L; whereas, in the electrocardiogram, the return of the ST segment to the isoline was observed, and pericardial fluid resorbed from the pericardial cavity. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this case is a rare combination of erysipelas complicated with acute exudative pericarditis.

Keywords

• erysipelas
• acute exudative pericarditis
• pericardium
• pericardial fluid
• arrhythmia