Detection and follow-up of mediastinal lymph node enlargement in tuberculous pericardial effusions using computed tomography

Tuberculous pericardial effusions are most often due to spread from the mediastinal lymph nodes. The prognosis is excellent with specific therapy; however the diagnosis maybe missed or delayed particularly when the presentation is with cardiac tamponade. After detecting enlarged lymph nodes in a patient with a chest computed tomographic (CT) scan we studied the use of CT scans in patients with proven tuberculous pericardial effusion as well as in patients with postcardiotomy syndrome or viral/idiopathic pericarditis who served as controls. (authors)