Cardiac tamponade as the first manifestation of bronchogenic carcinoma.

A case of cardiac tamponade as the first manifestation of bronchogenic adenocarcinoma is presented. Diagnosis of metastatic pericarditis with effusion was made by echocardiography and cytology of the pericarditis fluid. Because of rapid recurrence of the effusion, a pericardial window was created. This operation was well tolerated by the patient. A short discussion of metastatic pericarditis is given.