Purulent and constrictive pericarditis - Arising from a staphylococcal lumbar infection

A 78-year-old man was admitted to the hospital for evaluation and treatment of anasarca secondary to staphylococcal purulent pericarditis. One month e arlier, he had undergone a lumbar laminectomy that was complicated postoper atively by a lumbar abscess that was not clinically apparent. The infection subsequently spread to the pericardium. Despite aggressive therapy that in cluded therapeutic pericardiocentesis, drainage of pericardial fluid, and p rolonged intravenous antibiotic therapy, the patient returned 2 weeks after discharge from the hospital with complicating constrictive pericarditis. P ericardiectomy was performed, resulting in complete relief of the patient's symptoms.