Purulent and constrictive pericarditis arising from a staphylococcal lumbar infection.

A 78-year-old man was admitted to the hospital for evaluation and treatment of anasarca secondary to staphylococcal purulent pericarditis. One month earlier he had undergone a lumbar laminectomy that was complicated postoperatively by a lumbar abscess that was not clinically apparent. The infection subsequently spread to the pericardium. Despite aggressive therapy that included therapeutic pericardiocentesis, drainage of pericardial fluid, and prolonged intravenous antibiotic therapy, the patient returned 2 weeks after discharge from the hospital with complicating constrictive pericarditis. Pericardiectomy was performed, resulting in complete relief of the patient's symptoms.