Purulent Pericarditis definition

Q: What is the definition of Purulent pericarditis?

Answer: Purulent pericarditis is defined as a localized infection of the pericardial space characterized either by:

- gross pus in the pericardium 

or 

- microscopic purulence with >20 leukocytes per oil immersion field.

Clinical significance: This distinction is important because purulent and infectious pericarditis are distinct clinical entities that may require different lines of management, and not all infections produce purulent effusions. 

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References:

1. Goodman LJ. Purulent Pericarditis. Curr Treat Options Cardiovasc Med. 2000 Aug;2(4):343-350. doi: 10.1007/s11936-996-0008-8. PMID: 11096539.

2. Lee ES, Lin C, Pizula J, Pandya KA, Mehra AO, Van Herle H. Purulent Bacterial Pericarditis: Rare Yet Lethal. JACC Case Rep. 2024 Mar 4;29(7):102282. doi: 10.1016/j.jaccas.2024.102282. PMID: 38465283; PMCID: PMC10924136.