[Acute haemorrhagic pericarditis following influenza vaccination].

BACKGROUND

Pericarditis following influenza vaccination is a rare complication. The few cases reported in the literature were all benign.

METHODS

An 87 year-old man developed a haemorrhagic pericarditis following an influenza vaccination. The outcome was rapidly favourable after surgical pericardiectomy followed by treatment with colchicine. In the absence of etiology, the hypothesis of post-vaccination pericarditis was proposed.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite its low incidence, the hypothesis of post-vaccination pericarditis must be evoked. Diagnosis therefore relies on various arguments. Although usually benign, medical and surgical treatments were required in our patient.