Prevention of Recurrences of Corticosteroid-Dependent Idiopathic Pericarditis by Colchicine in an Adolescent Patient

Abstract.

A case of an adolescent patient with idiopathic recurrent pericarditis is reported. On several occasions during a period of 3.5 years he was shown to be dependent on corticosteroid therapy, and he became cushingoid. After corticosteroids were substituted with colchicine, no further relapses occurred during a period of 29 months. In accordance with the first published pediatric results, colchicine represents an effective and well-tolerated alternative therapy for recurrent idiopathic pericarditis and might replace prolonged administration of corticosteroids.