Tuberculous pericarditis treated with streptomycin.

The use of streptomycin in all forms of tuberculosis has been the subject of a clinical study by the Veterans Administration since 1946. During that period streptomycin was used in all clinically recognized cases of tuberculous pericarditis at the hospitals engaged in this study, but results have not been published. Analysis of the clinical data forms the basis of this report. The onset of pericarditis in many of these patients occurred during hospitalization for pulmonary tuberculosis, and in the others hospital admission was secured soon after onset. CRITERIA FOR SELECTION OF CASES Twenty-five cases of proved or presumptive tuberculous pericarditis treated with streptomycin were reviewed. Criteria adequate for the diagnosis of pericarditis and proof of its tuberculous etiology were established, in order that cases of uncertain causation might be eliminated. The diagnosis of pericarditis in this study was not made unless fluid was obtained by pericardial aspiration or histological proof