Pericarditis with cardiac tamponade - A misleading complication of appendicitis: A rare case report

Introduction: As severe complication of appendicitis as effusive pericarditis is a rare phenomenon. Taking into consideration open access data in a 50-year period we perceived three pediatric cases with pericarditis as a complication of appendicitis.

Presentation of case: We report a 15-year-old boy who presented cardiac tamponade, bilateral pleural effusions, liver enlargement and ascites as a presentation of atypical appendicitis.

Discussion: Even nowadays appendicitis could be difficult to diagnose in children. A delayed diagnosis could be responsible for severe morbidity and mortality.

Conclusion: This report is aimed to be a reminder of serious life-threatening complications after a common abdomen condition - appendicitis.