A Young Girl With Lupus, Recurrent Pericardial Effusion, And Cardiac Tamponade

A 14-year-old girl with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) presented with high-grade fever, dyspnea, and pericardial effusion leading to cardiac tamponade. Initial treatment with pericardiocentesis and glucocorticoids resulted in clinical improvement. Despite ongoing treatment with hydroxychloroquine, she experienced recurrent episodes of pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade at ages 17 and 18, which were managed with pericardiocentesis and glucocorticoids. The addition of colchicine prevented further recurrences. This case highlighted the unusual presentation and recurrence of pericardial effusion with cardiac tamponade in childhood lupus.