[Pericardial liquid layer as an occasional finding in internal echography. Normal patterns and pathologic limits]

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Radiology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Pericardial fluid is frequently an incidental finding during abdominal ultrasound (US).
• Establishing normality ranges for incidental pericardial fluid is crucial for accurate diagnosis.
• Previous studies have not clearly defined the clinical significance of small pericardial fluid volumes detected incidentally.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the normality range for incidental pericardial fluid detected during upper abdominal US.
• To assess the clinical relevance of pericardial fluid thickness identified incidentally.

Main Methods:

• 500 patients undergoing liver US were evaluated for pericardial fluid.
• Thickness of pericardial fluid was measured in positive cases.
• Cardiologic evaluation (clinical exam, ECG, echocardiography) was performed for patients with fluid thickness 5-9 mm (n=20) and >10 mm (n=6).

Main Results:

• Pericardial fluid was detected in 20.8% of patients.
• Fluid thickness <10 mm was common and clinically insignificant.
• Pericardial fluid >10 mm was associated with high clinical relevance and often extended around the heart.

Conclusions:

• Incidental pericardial fluid <10 mm thickness on abdominal US is a common, benign finding.
• Pericardial fluid >10 mm warrants further cardiologic investigation due to potential clinical significance.
• Abdominal US can serve as an initial screening tool for detecting potentially significant pericardial effusions.