Note there is air in the right costo-phrenic angle and maybe in the left so the white-out appearance is not pleural effusion.
Here is the ultrasound examination which
confirmed a huge pericardial effusion [collection of fluid in the sac that
surrounds the heart].
Dr.Gabriel and the surgical team removed 600mls of fluid
and, not surprisingly, he felt much better afterwards! The cough he had had for
3 years diminished and he had more energy to run around.
It
is possible the cause is tuberculosis, an infection that can manifest in a wide
variety of presenting symptoms. It will
be interesting to see if it all settles down.
If not, we would aspirate it one more time, and if it then still recurs
the next step is a little more invasive with an operation to cut a “window” in
the lining of the pericardial sac to prevent re-accumulation.
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