Computed Tomography in the Diagnosis of Pericardial Heart Disease

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Abstract
To evaluate the use of computed tomography (CT) in the diagnosis of pericardial heart disease, 53 patients were prospectively studied by CT of the chest and cardiac ultrasound. A diagnostic-quality CT study was done for all patients; a technically satisfactory ultrasound examination was not possible in 6 patients. Of 47 patients in whom both chest scans and satisfactory ultrasound studies were obtained, CT showed pericardial thickening not shown by ultrasound in 5 patients. Estimated size of pericardial effusion was the same for both CT and ultrasound. CT provided quantifiable evaluation of the composition of pericardial fluid in 7 patients with either hemopericardium or purulent pericarditis. Neoplastic pericardial heart disease was detected by CT scan in 4 of the 53 patients. CT of the chest provides a sensitive evaluation of the pericardium and quality of pericardial effusion, and is a valuable adjunct in patients in whom cardiac ultrasound is technically unsatisfactory.

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