[Agenesis of the pericardium: clinical, echocardiographic and MRI aspects]

A case of agenesis of the pericardium is reported. The condition is are; a search in the literature has yielded 364 cases. It always results from an abnormal embryonic development. The agenesis is more common on the left side (70%) than on the right side (4%) or the inferior side (17%). It is more often partial than total (9%) and may be associated with other malformations, particularly malformations of the heart. The diagnosis rests on radiography of the chest and, mainly, echocardiography. CT, MRI or surgical exploration (if needed for other reasons) confirm the anatomical defect. In patients with partial pericardial agenesis the risk of cardiac entrapment makes surgery mandatory.