Complete left pericardial defect: evaluation with supine and decubitus dual source CT

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Radiology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Congenital pericardial defects are rare anomalies.
• Complete left pericardial defects can lead to significant cardiac displacement and mobility.

Observation:

• A case of complete left pericardial defect was evaluated using retrospectively gated dual-source CT.
• Imaging revealed right heart chamber dilatation and extreme levoposition of the heart.

Findings:

• Excessive cardiac mobility was demonstrated by repeat imaging in the left lateral decubitus position.
• Cardiac CT's high spatial resolution is effective for evaluating pericardial disease.
• Decubitus imaging aids in differentiating partial from complete pericardial defects.

Implications:

• This case highlights the utility of cardiac CT in diagnosing pericardial defects.
• Decubitus imaging is a valuable technique for assessing cardiac mobility in pericardial abnormalities.
• Accurate diagnosis of pericardial defects is essential for appropriate patient management.