Effusive constrictive pericarditis: 2D, 3D echocardiography and MRI imaging.

The entity of effusive constrictive pericarditis (ECP) combines clinical and echocardiographic features of pericardial effusion and constrictive pericarditis. We describe a case of ECP, of probable tuberculous etiology, with typical hemodynamic findings of pericardial constriction, which persisted after the pericardial effusion was drained. Thickening of parietal and visceral pericardium was seen on 2D and 3D echo, and on MRI. Two important variations of ECP-due to tuberculous and to staphylococcal etiology, respectively-show some important differences that are relevant to management of therapy.