Malignant non-Hodgkin's lymphoma presenting with cardiac tamponade]

Malignant non-Hodgkin's lymphoma rarely involves the heart. However, all cardiac structures may be invaded, although the myocardium and pericardium are affected more often than the valvular structures. Diagnosis is important because treatment must be adapted. The cardiac signs are usually non-specific and lymphomas presenting in this way have only occasionally been reported. The authors report two cases in which malignant non-Hodgkin's lymphoma presented with cardiac tamponade.