Acute pericarditis. An unusual presentation of an exacerbation of ulcerative colitis.

Acute pericarditis is an unusual complication of ulcerative colitis. In some rare cases, it is the only extraintestinal manifestation of the underlying colitis, and may even precede the development of bowel symptoms. Less rarely, pericarditis may be the presenting feature of an exacerbation of ulcerative colitis. Such a case is reported to illustrate the important, but uncommon, association of these disorders, and to discuss the implications for management.