Computed tomography of the pericardium and pericardial disease

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Medical Imaging
• Cardiovascular Imaging

Background:

• The pericardium, a vital sac surrounding the heart, can exhibit diverse abnormalities.
• Accurate diagnosis of pericardial conditions relies on understanding normal anatomy and pathology.
• Computed tomography (CT) offers advanced capabilities for pericardial assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the utility of CT in evaluating pericardial abnormalities.
• To illustrate the CT appearances of normal pericardium and various pathological conditions.
• To enhance diagnostic accuracy for pericardial diseases using CT.

Main Methods:

• Pictorial review of CT scans.
• Focus on spatial and temporal resolution, multiplanar reconstruction, and field of view.
• Correlation of imaging findings with pericardial anatomy and pathology.

Main Results:

• CT provides comprehensive anatomical and functional evaluation of the pericardium.
• Diverse pericardial abnormalities, including absence, cysts, inflammation, effusion, constriction, tamponade, foreign bodies, and neoplasms, have distinct CT appearances.
• Detailed illustration of these CT findings is presented.

Conclusions:

• CT is an indispensable tool for diagnosing pericardial abnormalities.
• Familiarity with normal and abnormal pericardial CT imaging is crucial for clinicians.
• This review serves as a visual guide for interpreting CT scans of the pericardium.