Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Tuberculous pericarditis diagnostic study of choice
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Pericardiocentesis is the gold standard test for the diagnosis of tuberculous pericarditis. Pericardial biopsy must be performed when we can’t find acid fast bacilli in sputum or pericardial fluid. Finding acid fast bacilli on pericardiocentesis is confirmatory for tuberculous pericarditis.
Diagnostic Study of Choice
Diagnostic Study of Choice
Study of choice
- Pericardiocentesis is the gold standard test for the diagnosis of tuberculous pericarditis.
- Pericardial biopsy must be performed when:
- We can’t find acid fast bacilli in sputum or pericardial fluid.
Diagnostic results
The following finding on pericardiocentesis is confirmatory for tuberculous pericarditis:
- Acid fast bacilli
Sequence of Diagnostic Studies
The various investigations must be performed in the following order:
- Imaging (CXR, CT scan, MRI)
- Echocardiography
- Evaluation of sputum for acid-fast bacilli (AFB)
- Evaluation of pericardial fluid for acid-fast bacilli (AFB)
- Lymph node biopsy
- Pericardial biopsy
Diagnostic Criteria
There are no established criteria for the diagnosis of tuberculous pericarditis.
References
References
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Fahimeh Shojaei, M.D.