Endoscopic peri-cardial fenestration for a patient with sustained lupus pericarditis

A 57-year-old woman was diagnosed in January 1982 with SLE based on ANA 1:6 40, positive LE cell preparation, proteinuria (3+), and pericarditis. In 19 84, 1994, and 1997, the pericardial effusion was noted to have increased wi thout signs of disease exacerbation or cardiac tamponade, and pericardial d rainage was repeated to control the effusion. A massive pericardial effusio n developed in August 1997 After tuberculosis, hypothyroidism, neoplasm, an d progression of SLE were ruled out, we decided to perform pericardial fene stration. A safe and minimally invasive pericardial fenestration was succes sfully completed endoscopically. Pathologic study of the specimen revealed chronic pericarditis. We consider endoscopic pericardial fenestration to be useful for at risk patients with pericarditis to control the effusion and establish a differential diagnosis.