Imaging of pericardial disease

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Imaging
• Radiology
• Cardiac MRI

Background:

• Pericardial pathology diagnosis often relies on cardiac function assessment.
• Echocardiography is the initial imaging modality for pericardial disease.
• Echocardiography can be limited or indeterminate in diagnosing pericardial conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging techniques for pericardial imaging.
• To describe the normal pericardial appearance on MR imaging.
• To illustrate the MR imaging findings of pathologic and congenital pericardial conditions.

Main Methods:

• Review of MR imaging techniques applicable to the pericardium.
• Discussion of normal pericardial anatomy on MR.
• Illustration of pathological and congenital pericardial disease using MR imaging.

Main Results:

• MR imaging provides superior soft tissue contrast for pericardial evaluation.
• MR imaging visualizes the entire pericardium and its relationship to cardiac structures.
• Advanced myocardial imaging techniques are applicable to pericardial assessment.

Conclusions:

• MR imaging is a valuable tool for diagnosing pericardial disease, especially when echocardiography is limited.
• MR imaging enhances the understanding of pericardial pathology and congenital abnormalities.
• Comprehensive MR imaging protocols improve the diagnostic capability for pericardial conditions.