Table 1 Causes of large pericardial effusion in contemporary African and non-African case series
CausesReuter et al, 200690 (n = 233)Imazio et al, 200791 (n = 453)
Period of study1995–20011996–2004
Tuberculous pericarditis162 (69.5)17 (3.8)
Neoplastic pericarditis22 (9.4)23 (5.1)
Connective tissue disease or autoimmune aetiology 12 (5.2) 33 (7.3)
Purulent/septic pericarditis5 (2.1)3 (0.7)
Idiopathic or other causes32 (13.7)377 (83.2)

  • Data are shown as number (%).