Purulent pericarditis caused by group G streptococcus as an initial presentation of colon cancer

• Published in: Journal of Korean medical science 2002-08, Vol.17 (4), p.571-573
• Main Authors: Kim, Nam Ho, Park, Jong Pil, Jeon, Seong Hui, Lee, Youn Jeong, Choi, Hyeon Jong, Jeong, Keum Mo, Lee, Jin Gu, Choi, Sun Pil, Lim, Ji Hyun, Kim, Yang Ho, Kim, Yong Seok, Kim, Yong Moon, Hwang, Min Ho, Cho, Jin Woong, Moon, Young, Oh, Seok Kyu, Jeong, Jin-Won
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adenocarcinoma - complications; Adenocarcinoma - diagnosis; Adenocarcinoma - surgery; Colonic Neoplasms - complications; Colonic Neoplasms - diagnosis; Colonic Neoplasms - surgery; Echocardiography; Electrocardiography; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Pericardial Effusion; Pericarditis - complications; Pericarditis - drug therapy; Pericarditis - microbiology; Pericarditis - surgery; Streptococcal Infections - complications; Streptococcal Infections - drug therapy; Streptococcal Infections - microbiology; Streptococcal Infections - surgery; Streptococcus - classification
• ISSN: 1011-8934; 1598-6357
• DOI: 10.3346/jkms.2002.17.4.571

Bacterial pericarditis has been recognized as a rare disease since the development of antibiotics. Usually, the disease is associated with underlying conditions or a seeding of infection elsewhere to the pericardium. Here we describe a case of group G streptococcal pericarditis as an initial presentation of colon cancer. A 52-yr-old man was admitted because of dyspnea. An electrocardiogram showed a diffuse ST-segment elevation and a two-dimensional echocardiogram showed a large amount of pericardial effusion. A pericardiocentesis was done and purulent fluid was drained. Group G streptococci was cultured in pericardial fluid. The patient was treated with antibiotics and pericardiostomy with saline irrigation. A colonoscopy revealed a small mass with moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma in rectosigmoid colon. He underwent a mucosectomy and was recovered without any complication.