Successful Treatment of Massive Intractable Pericardial Effusion with
Tocilizumab in a Child Undergone Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell
Transplantation
Abstract
A 4-year-old child with β-thalassemia major underwent allogeneic
hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) on August 30, 2022 from a
male haploidentical donor. He developed massive pericardial effusion
(PE) secondary to a pulmonary infection. Methylprednisolone, tacrolimus
discontinued, and pericardiocentesis were all ineffective. Since the
interleukin-6 (IL-6) level in the PE was markedly increased
(1868.58pg/ml), a total of two doses of tocilizumab was administered
intravenously at a dosage of 5mg/kg every 2 weeks. PE remarkably reduced
and completely resolved within 8 days. No recurrence of PE was observed
in the follow up visits. Our results suggest that tocilizumab can be
considered as a treatment of choice in massive PE after HSCT.