Pericardial haematopoiesis with tamponade in myelofibrosis

A 52‐year‐old male with idiopathic myelofibrosis of 8 years' duration developed pericardial tamponade during recovery from acute tubular interstitial nephropathia following septicaemia. Splenectomy had been performed 7 yr previously. The tamponade was relieved by pericardiocentesis and its recurrence was prevented by a minor pericardiectomy. Pathological examination, including staining for factor VIII‐positive cells, demonstrated extramedullary haematopoiesis in the pericardium. In patients with myelofibrosis and increased silhouette on X‐ray film, with or without clinical heart failure, echocardiographic examination is recommended in order to identify a possible pericardial effusion.