Purulent pericarditis followed by early constriction in young children.

Two young children with acute purulent pericarditis are described, and the management of this condition is discussed. Openpericardial drainage is necessary as well as antibiotics. Constriction may follow very rapidly and occurred in both patients. It was successfully treated in one of them, requiring epicardial as well as pericardial removal for relief. Two children have recently been seen with acute purulent pericarditis. In both early constriction followed and one survived after extensive pericard-ectomy.