Brief Communication Percutaneous Pericardial Biopsy

We report the application in a patient of a nonsurgical technique, for obtaining multiple pericardial biopsies in palients with pericardial effusion. This technique, slightly modified from that proposed by Endrys and coworkers, was performed for the first time in Turkey. An 8 Fr Teflon sheath is introduced by the Seldinger technique under flouroscopy through the subxiphoid approach. The pericardial fluid is aspirated and air is allowed to enter the pericardium. This method outlines the pericardium. Thereafter, a bioptome is inserted through the sheath and multiple samples are taken from different sites of the pericardium for histopathologic and bacteriologic studies.