Tuberculous pericarditis associated with hoarseness of voice due to left recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis

Abstract

A 16-years-old Egyptian girl presented with massive pericardial effusion, fever, weight loss and hoarseness of voice. Laryngoscopy showed left vocal cord paralysis. Chest CT revealed pericardial effusion, amalgamated mediastinal lymph nodes and clear lung fi elds. Pericardial fl uid analysis revealed a lymphocytic exudate with high adenosine deaminase enzyme level, negative stains and cultures for bacteria and fungi. Despite a negative nucleic acid test for tuberculosis; antituberculous and corticosteroids therapies resulted in resolution of pericardial effusion after 3 weeks but hoarseness of voice persisted. Few cases of vocal cord paralysis with tuberculous mediastinal lymphadenopathy were reported in English literature. Copyright 2011 BMJ Publishing Group. All rights reserved.