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Pericardial agenesis - the wandering heart
Tushar Kalekar1, Latha P Reddy2, Deepak Koganti1
1Department of Radiology, Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Sant Tukaram Nagar, Pimpri Chinchwad, Pune, Maharashtra, 411018, India.
Summary
Congenital pericardial agenesis (PA) is a rare condition often missed. Multi-modality imaging, from chest X-rays to cardiac MRI, is key for diagnosing PA in patients with chest pain.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Radiology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Congenital pericardial absence (PA) is a rare cardiac anomaly.
- Often asymptomatic or misdiagnosed due to atypical presentations.
- PA should be considered in patients presenting with chest pain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the diagnostic process of pericardial agenesis.
- To demonstrate the utility of multi-modality imaging in diagnosing PA.
- To showcase classic imaging signs of pericardial agenesis.
Main Methods:
- Case presentation of a 32-year-old male with chest discomfort.
- Initial assessment with chest radiography revealing characteristic findings.
- Confirmatory diagnosis using cardiac MRI.
Main Results:
- Chest radiograph showed leftward heart displacement and abnormal left heart border.
- Cardiac MRI confirmed left-sided pericardial agenesis.
- Diagnosis was established using a combination of imaging modalities.
Conclusions:
- Pericardial agenesis is a rare differential diagnosis for chest discomfort in young patients.
- Multi-modality imaging is crucial for accurate diagnosis.
- Cardiac MRI is the gold standard for evaluating pericardial absence.
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