Cholesterol crystals and IgE-containing immune complexes in rheumatoid pericarditis

Clin Rheumatol. 1991 Mar;10(1):78-80. doi: 10.1007/BF02208037.

Abstract

A 72-year-old rheumatoid arthritis patient is described presenting with acute dyspnoea and peripheral oedema. A pericardial effusion with signs of tamponade was diagnosed. Examination of the pericardial fluid revealed the presence of cholesterol crystals and IgE-containing immune complexes. The significance of these findings in the differential diagnosis of pericardial disease is discussed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antigen-Antibody Complex / analysis
  • Antigen-Antibody Complex / immunology
  • Antigen-Antibody Complex / metabolism*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / complications
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / diagnosis
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / metabolism*
  • Cardiac Tamponade / pathology
  • Cholesterol / analysis
  • Cholesterol / metabolism*
  • Crystallization
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / analysis
  • Immunoglobulin G / immunology
  • Immunoglobulin G / metabolism*
  • Pericardial Effusion / metabolism
  • Pericardial Effusion / pathology
  • Pericarditis / complications
  • Pericarditis / diagnosis
  • Pericarditis / metabolism*

Substances

  • Antigen-Antibody Complex
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Cholesterol