Congenital absence of the pericardium

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Associate Editor-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2]

Congenital absence of the pericardium or congenital defects of the pericardium (1/10,000 autopsies) comprise partial left (70%), right (17%), or total bilateral (extremely rare) pericardial absence. About 30% of patients have additional congenital abnormalities. Most patients with a total absence of pericardium are asymptomatic. However, homolateral cardiac displacement and augmented heart mobility impose an increased risk for traumatic aortic type A dissection.

• Atrial septal defect
• Patent ductus arteriosus
• Mitral stenosis
• Tetralogy of Fallot

Normally, the aortopulmonary window is covered by pericardium and contains some fat. Most pericardial defects are partial and occur on the left side. Left-sided absence of the pericardium allows interposition of lung tissue between the aorta and the main segment of the pulmonary artery. Occasionally, there is bulging of the left atrial appendage through the defect. The heart usually rotates toward the left.

Patients who have a pericardial defect without associated congenital abnormalities are often asymptomatic. The chest x-ray is typical, but the diagnosis is confirmed by echocardiography and computed tomography (CT) / magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

• Apparent elevation of the cardiac apex
• Prominent pulmonary artery segment
• Lucency caused by interposition of the lung between the aorta and main pulmonary artery segment.
• In patients with complete absence of the pericardium, the size of the cardiophrenic space is increased on the frontal chest radiograph.

• Interposition of lung tissue between the aorta and the main segment of the pulmonary artery

Excision of the atrial appendage and surgical pericardioplasty (Dacron, Gore-tex, or bovine pericardium) is indicated for imminent strangulation.

Partial left side defects can be complicated by cardiac strangulation caused by herniation of the left atrial appendage, atrium, or left ventricle through the defect (chest pain, shortness of breath, syncope, or sudden death).

• Víctor Pineda, Jordi Andreu, José Cáceres, Xavier Merino, Diego Varona, and Rosa Domínguez-Oronoz. Lesions of the Cardiophrenic Space: Findings at Cross-sectional Imaging. RadioGraphics 2007 27: 19-32.
• Zhen J. Wang, Gautham P. Reddy, Michael B. Gotway, Benjamin M. Yeh, Steven W. Hetts, and Charles B. Higgins. CT and MR Imaging of Pericardial Disease. RadioGraphics 2003 23: 167S-180S.

• Pericardial disease
• Cardiac tamponade
• Constrictive pericarditis
• Pericardial effusion
• Pneumopericardium

• Congenital Absence of the Pericardium
• Goldminer: Congenital absence pericardium

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