An unusual presentation of colon cancer: purulent pericarditis and cardiac tamponade due to Bacteroides fragilis

Am J Gastroenterol. 1995 Sep;90(9):1518-20.

Abstract

Extra-abdominal infections caused by colonic anaerobic organisms have been shown to be associated with colorectal cancers. We report a very unusual case of a patient who suffered from cardiac tamponade secondary to anaerobic bacterial pericarditis caused by Bacteroides fragilis as an initial presentation of colon cancer. The medical literature is reviewed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / complications*
  • Aged
  • Bacteroides Infections / etiology*
  • Bacteroides fragilis*
  • Cardiac Tamponade / etiology
  • Cardiac Tamponade / microbiology*
  • Cecal Neoplasms / complications
  • Colonic Neoplasms / complications*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pericarditis / etiology
  • Pericarditis / microbiology*