Case report: A rare case of gelatinous pericardial effusion in a COVID-19 positive breast cancer patient

Background: Pericardial effusion can occur as a complication of breast cancer and coronavirus disease (COVID-19). However, the specific characteristics of pericardial fluid in patients concurrently experiencing both conditions remain poorly understood. Case summary: This report describes a 52-year-old woman with a history of hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus, and breast cancer who developed recurrent pericardial effusion complicated by cardiac tamponade following COVID-19 infection. The patient initially underwent pericardiocentesis and subsequently required pericardiectomy. Notably, the pericardial fluid obtained during pericardiocentesis exhibited a distinctive gelatinous appearance, a feature not previously described in association with breast cancer or COVID-19. Conclusion: This case highlights the potential for unique interactions between breast cancer and COVID-19, particularly in the development of pericardial effusions with unusual characteristics and a gelatinous appearance. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and clinical implications of this association.