ACUTE CARDIAC TAMPONADE IN HYPOTHYROIDISM: ROLE OF INTERVENTIONAL ULTRASOUND IN THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

Purpose: We present a rare case of acute cardiac tamponade in a Hypothyroid patient treated with percutaneous drainage under US guidance. We report the Rx and US findings and stress the role of interventional US as fundamental tool in emergency. Methods and Materials: Case report: female, 58 years with Down syndrome, presented at the emergency Department of our Institution with severe dyspnea, shock, abdominal pain. Chest X-ray showed cardiac enlargement and pleural effusion. Abdominal ultrasound (US) examination showed mild ascites, normal abdominal organs, bilateral pleural effusion and a “small“ heart in a ma…