Asbestos induced pericardial effusion and pleural plaques [PERICARDITE ESSUDATIVA ASSOCIATA A PLACCHE PLEURICHE DA ESPOSIZIONE ALL'ASBESTO, RISOLTA DA TRATTAMENTO STEROIDEO]

We report a case of a 73-year old railwayman with an asymptomatic large pericardial effusion diagnosed by a routine echocardiogram. By clinical and laboratory tests we excluded an immune, infectious, tuberculous and neoplastic origin of the pericardial effusion. A computed tomography scan of the thorax showed left pleural plaques. Pleural and pericardial biopsies showed fibrohyaline plaques and diffuse aspecific, chronic inflammation consistent with asbestos exposure. By using steroid treatment there was no further evidence of pericardial inflammation or pericardial effusion at 8 month follow-up. Steroid drugs are therefore suggested as a first choice treatment in patients with pleuropericardial effusion as well as chronic asbestos exposure.