1. Cardiac tamponade as a presentation of malignant thymoma.
- Author
-
Venegas RJ and Sun NC
- Subjects
- Adult, Cell Nucleolus pathology, Cell Nucleus pathology, Cytoplasm pathology, Histocytochemistry, Humans, Immunoenzyme Techniques, Male, Pericardium pathology, Thymoma physiopathology, Thymus Neoplasms physiopathology, Cardiac Tamponade, Pericardial Effusion pathology, Thymoma pathology, Thymus Neoplasms pathology
- Abstract
Morphologic, cytochemical and immunocytochemical studies of pericardial fluid from a 30-year-old man presenting with cardiac tamponade are described. Based on the results of the immunocytochemical studies and the histologic examination of excised pericardium, a diagnosis of malignant thymoma was made. This is the first documented case in which malignant cells were found in the pericardial effusion in a patient with invasive thymoma. The significance of using a multidisciplinary approach to the study of body fluids is discussed.
- Published
- 1988