Computed tomography in the diagnosis of pericardial heart disease

Journal Article · Fri Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1982 · Ann. Intern. Med.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-97-4-473· OSTI ID:6256154

Isner, J M; Carter, B L; Bankoff, M S; Konstam, M A; Salem, D N

To evaluate the use of computed tomography (CT) in the diagnosis of pericardial heart disease, 53 patients were prospectively studied by computed tomography 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 six patients. Of 47 patients in whom both chest scans and satisfactory ultrasound studies were obtained, computed tomography showed pericardial thickening not shown by ultrasound in five patients. Estimated size of pericardial effusion was the same for both computed tomography and ultrasound. Computed tomography provided quantifiable evaluation of the composition of pericardial fluid in seven patients with either hemopericardium or purulent pericarditis. Neoplastic pericardial heart disease was detected by CT scan in four of the 53 patients. Computed tomography 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.

• Research Organization: Tufts-New England Medical Center, Boston, MA
• OSTI ID: 6256154
• Journal Information: Ann. Intern. Med.; (United States), Journal Name: Ann. Intern. Med.; (United States) Vol. 97:4; ISSN AIMEA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550602* -- Medicine-- External Radiation in Diagnostics-- (1980-)
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
BODY
CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES
CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
COMPUTERIZED TOMOGRAPHY
DIAGNOSIS
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
DISEASES
HEART
MEMBRANES
ORGANS
PATIENTS
PERICARDIUM
SEROUS MEMBRANES
TOMOGRAPHY
ULTRASONOGRAPHY