PSEUDOTUMOR OF THE PERICARDIUM

A 2-year-old girl presented with signs and symptoms of cardiac tampona de preceded by upper respiratory tract infection. A two-dimensional ec hocardiogram was suggestive of an intrapericardiac tumor. Exploration of the pericardium revealed a large amount of dense amber-colored ''co agulated material.'' Microscopic examination of the material and the p ericardium was diagnostic of acute pericarditis, Based on this experie nce we propose the term pseudotumor of the pericardium for this form o f coagulated pus, We also propose that this term should be added to th e differential diagnosis of intrapericardiac tumor.