THE CLINICAL AND ROENTGENOLOGIC DIAGNOSIS OF PERICARDIAL EFFUSION

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Abstract
Thirteen patients with massive pericardial effusions were studied. There were 6 with rheumatic pericarditis, 2 with lupus erythematosis dissetninata, 2 with carcinomatous metastases, 2 with bacterial pericarditis and 1 with cardiorenal failure. Increased venous pressure is a constant finding and a paradoxical pulse is frequently present. The roentgenologic signs may be difficult to evaluate, particularly in the presence of a concomitant pleural or pulmonary pathologic process. Hydropneumopericardium was induced as a diagnostic procedure in the last 5 patients in this series. The presence of a fluid level within the pericardial sac together with the splash of the intraperi-cardial fluid because of the heart action is conclusive proof of pericardial effusion.

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