The pericardial effusion pattern on phase images

Journal Article · Wed Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1984 · Clin. Nucl. Med.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1097/00003072-198402000-00001· OSTI ID:7055963

Pavel, C M; Kahn, J; Rich, S; Gonzalez, P; Turner, S; Pavel, D G

The effect of pericardial effusion on phase images of gated studies was investigated. Twenty-six patients with suspected or known pericardial effusion were correlated with echocardiography and/or clinical and other laboratory data to ascertain the presence and size of effusion. The phase image pattern and parameters were compared to the results previously obtained in seven normal patients, and in 26 patients with documented regional wall motion abnormalities but no evidence of pericardial effusion. The phase pattern was graded into five categories: typical (IV) (wide histogram, well defined concentric convex pattern, progressive delay toward the inferolateral area, identifiable also over the right ventricle); less pronounced (III); atypical (II); ill defined changes (I); and normal (0). Results: Group L (large pericardial effusion): four of six had pattern (IV) and the left ventricular histogram showed abnormal parameters. These patients had large free effusions in the pericardial sac and none had regional wall motion abnormalities. Two of six had pattern (III) and (II) but also had ancillary pericardial pathology and/or decreased ejection fraction. Group M (moderate pericardial effusion), S (small pericardial effusion), and A (absent pericardial effusion, but not normal) had variable phase images and numeric parameters. After therapeutic drainage of pericardial fluid two patients changed pattern from IV and III to 0 and a third from III to I. Category IV pattern is 100% specific for pericardial effusion; the combination of category IV or III is 87.5% specific and 61% sensitive for large and moderate pericardial effusion.

• Research Organization: University of Illinois Medical Center, Chicago
• OSTI ID: 7055963
• Journal Information: Clin. Nucl. Med.; (United States), Journal Name: Clin. Nucl. Med.; (United States) Vol. 9:2; ISSN CNMED
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550601* -- Medicine-- Unsealed Radionuclides in Diagnostics
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ANIMALS
BODY
CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
DYNAMIC FUNCTION STUDIES
HEART
ISOTOPES
MAMMALS
MAN
MEMBRANES
MUSCLES
MYOCARDIUM
ORGANS
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
PATIENTS
PERICARDIUM
PRIMATES
RADIOISOTOPES
SEROUS MEMBRANES
VERTEBRATES