Prevention of recurrences of corticosteroid-dependent idiopathic pericarditis by colchicine in an adolescent patient.

A case of an adolescent patient with idiopathic recurrent pericarditis is reported. On several occasions during a period of 3. 5 years he was shown to be dependent on corticosteroid therapy, and he became cushingoid. After corticosteroids were substituted with colchicine, no further relapses occurred during a period of 29 months. In accordance with the first published pediatric results, colchicine represents an effective and well-tolerated alternative therapy for recurrent idiopathic pericarditis and might replace prolonged administration of corticosteroids.