ISOLATED HYDROPERICARDIUM – THE IMPLICATION OF LATE DIAGNOSIS OF PRIMARY HYPOTHYROIDISM

Abstract

Background. In therapeutic practice the diagnostics of hypothyroidism can be difficult due to its non-specific nature and symptoms diversity. Goal. To present the result of successful diagnostics and treatment of primary hypothyroidism, where hydropericardium was defined as the main symptom of the disease. Material and methods. A case of late diagnosis of primary hypothyroidism in a female aged 50 with hydropericardium is described. The tactics of examination of the patient according to the recommendations of the European Society of Cardiology (2015) with the purpose of excluding metabolic causes of pericardial effusion is presented. Results. The ignoring of the most frequent symptoms of hypothyroidism was found to be the reason for late diagnostics of the disease, hydropericardium being considered the primary disease. Conclusions. In order to exclude metabolic causes of pericardial effusion during the examination of patients with the diseases of pericardium, evaluation of the thyroid function is warranted.

Keywords

• pericarditis
• hydropericardium
• primary hypothyroidism