Congenital absence of the pericardium: A rare cause of right ventricular dilatation and levoposition of the heart

Congenital absence of the pericardium is a rare condition, which can be isolated, but most frequently associated with other cardiac or extracardiac congenital anomalies. Generally, most the patients with pericardial absence are asymptomatic. In some cases, partial pericardial defects can be life threatening, because of heart and lung herniation and ventricular entrapment. The pericardium has a supporting and protecting role for the heart and the proximal great vessels (ascending aorta and pulmonary arterial trunk), so absence of the pericardial layers allows important thoracic displacement of the heart. Diagnosis is established by the relevant radio-imaging findings suggestive of complete absence of the pericardium, with characteristic cardiac silhouette abnormalities. We present a case with complete absence of the left pericardium in an asymptomatic young male patient. A review of literature focusing on congenital pericardial defects and the radiological findings of this condition, focused on cardiac-MR imaging, is also presented.

show abstract

“…CMR represent the best imaging tool for delineation and extension of the pericardial defects (3,15).…”

Section: Discussion Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Congenital Complete Absence of the Left Pericardium

Flintoaca¹,

Capsa²,

Lupescu³

2016

JTMR

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Also, the pericardium restrains the cardiac filling and protects the heart from dilatation and myocardial rupture (Sisson and Thomas, 1999). Partial pericardial defects are rare in human medicine, usually silent anomalies, left sided and congenital origin, approximated to 1/10.000 and most, incidental findings, engendering a small risk of cardiac hernia (Ilhan et al, 2012;Vesely and Julsrud, 1989;Yousefzadeh et al, 1982). Hernia of the left and right atrium, atrium and ventricle, cardiac apex, or entire heart, have been reported in humans (Sisson and Thomas, 1999) and dogs (Gaag and Luer, 1977).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pericardial Closure Defect with Right Atrial Herniation in a Dog

Baisan

Barbazan

Piantedosi³

et al. 2015

BUASVMCN-VM

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

A 16 years old German Shepherd dog was referred to the teaching hospital of Veterinary Medicine Faculty of Iasi, with cardio-respiratory symptoms. Clinical examination, electrocardiography, thoracic X-ray and echocardiography have been performed and congestive heart failure due to right cardiac dilatation was diagnosed. Due to the dog's death, necropsy have been performed and revealed a right pericardial closure defect with the hernia and incarceration of the right atrium in the mediastinum. The aim of the study is to describe an uncommon cardiac pathology in a geriatric dog represented by a pericardial tear with the right auricular hernia and incarceration and to raise hypothesis of the pathological findings etiology.

show abstract

CT for evaluation of acute pericardial emergencies in the ED

2018

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Acute pericardial emergencies may present with acute chest pain. Although complete diagnosis and physiological effects of acute pericardial disease may require a combination of different imaging, CT plays a critical role in identifying the cause of chest pain in the ED. Many of these pericardial diseases can be fatal unless emergent treatment is obtained. The presentation can often be non-specific and symptoms can be overlapping with other diseases originating in the thorax or abdomen. Optimizing the CT scan is imperative when acute pericardial disease is suspected from clinical examination or preliminary imaging. The interpreting radiologist needs to be aware of the different entities which represent acute pericardial emergencies requiring urgent therapeutic intervention. Time is the essence, the clock is ticking, and every minute counts!

show abstract

Congenital absence of the pericardium: A rare cause of right ventricular dilatation and levoposition of the heart

Cited by 5 publications

References 14 publications

Congenital Complete Absence of the Left Pericardium

Congenital Complete Absence of the Left Pericardium

Pericardial Closure Defect with Right Atrial Herniation in a Dog

CT for evaluation of acute pericardial emergencies in the ED

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About