The radiology of right heart dysfunction: chest roentgenogram and computed tomography

Alterations in the right heart silhouette resulting from chamber enlargement, pericardial disease, and juxtacardiac masses can be diagnosed by plain-film radiography. On the other hand, plain films rarely reveal intracardiac masses or right ventricular hypertrophy, and to suggest these disorders it may be necessary to rely on secondary signs such as pulmonary artery enlargement. In contrast, computed tomography will show both right ventricular hypertrophy and intracardiac masses and is therefore an important adjunct in evaluating right heart abnormalities.