[Incipient pericardial tamponade as the first symptom of systemic lupus erythematosus in 2 children].

Two patients (a boy and a girl), with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), in which pericarditis with threatening tamponade was an initial symptom of disease, are presented. Pericardial tamponade is very rare initial manifestation, described in only 1-3% of all the cases of SLE. The typical clinical features of tamponade are described (tachycardia, hypotension, venous congestion) and the importance of echocardiography in early diagnosis of pericarditis and pericardial tamponade is pointed out. Therefore, the echocardiography is considered as the complementary method in diagnosis of SLE.