Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 12, 2026

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance for the Evaluation of Suspected Cardiac Thrombus: Conventional and Emerging Techniques
Published on: June 11, 2019
Pericardial disease: value of CT and MR imaging
1Department of Radiology, Medical Imaging Research Center, University Hospitals Leuven, Herestraat 49, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium. jan.bogaert@uz.kuleuven.ac.be
Insights
Advances in noninvasive cardiac imaging, including echocardiography, CT, and MR imaging, have significantly improved the diagnosis of pericardial diseases. These techniques offer detailed insights into the pericardium
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Radiology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Pericardial disease is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in cardiovascular patients.
- Recent advancements in diagnostic techniques have enhanced understanding of the pericardium.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of the pericardium in cardiovascular health and disease.
- To highlight the impact of modern imaging modalities on diagnosing pericardial conditions.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on pericardial imaging.
- Discussion of transthoracic echocardiography, cardiac CT, and cardiac MR imaging.
- Emphasis on noninvasive diagnostic approaches.
Main Results:
- Transthoracic echocardiography is the first-line imaging modality for pericardial disease.
- Cardiac CT excels in visualizing pericardial calcifications.
- Cardiac MR imaging provides comprehensive assessment of pericardial abnormalities and their impact on cardiac function.
Conclusions:
- Modern imaging modalities have revolutionized the diagnosis and understanding of pericardial diseases.
- CT and MR imaging are increasingly vital tools for evaluating the pericardium.
- These advancements necessitate a re-evaluation of existing knowledge regarding pericardial conditions.
Unlabelled:
The pericardium represents an important focus of morbidity and mortality in patients with cardiovascular disease. Fortunately, in recent years knowledge regarding this enigmatic part of the heart and the diagnosis of related diseases has substantially advanced. To a large extent, this can be attributed to the availability of several noninvasive cardiac imaging modalities. Transthoracic echocardiography, which combines structural and physiologic assessment, is the first-line technique for examination of patients suspected of having or known to have pericardial disease; however, cardiac computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging are becoming increasingly popular for the study of this part of the heart. Modern multidetector CT scanners merge acquisition speed and high spatial and contrast resolution, with volumetric scanning to provide excellent anatomic detail of the pericardium. Multidetector CT is by far the modality of choice for depiction of pericardial calcifications. MR imaging is probably the best imaging modality for the acquisition of a comprehensive view of the pericardial abnormalities. MR imaging combines cardiac and pericardial anatomic assessment with tissue characterization and appraisal of the effects of pericardial abnormalities on cardiac performance. This review aims to elucidate the role of the pericardium and its interaction with the remainder of the heart in normal and pathologic conditions. It focuses on the rapidly evolving insights regarding pericardial disease provided by modern imaging modalities, not infrequently necessitating reconsideration of evidence that has thus far been taken for granted.
Supplemental Material:
http://radiology.rsna.org/lookup/suppl/doi:10.1148/radiol.13121059/-/DC1.
Related Concept Videos
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System V: CT
Pericarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System III: X-Ray
Definition and Purpose
An X-ray, or radiograph, is a non-invasive method that uses ionizing radiation to take images of internal structures. It is mainly used in cardiac imaging to examine the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels, aiming to identify abnormalities in the heart's size, shape, and position, such as heart failure, congenital defects, and vascular...
Mitral Stenosis II: Clinical features and Diagnostic Tests
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System IV: CMRI
Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
