Pericardial effusion chest x ray

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2]; Varun Kumar, M.B.B.S.

Chest X ray is very less effective to confirm the diagnosis of pericardial effusion unless there is massive effusion.

Chest X ray is normal in cases of mild-moderate pericardial effusion. Cardiomegaly is seen when pericardial effusion > 250 ml. However it can be used to rule out other causes of chest pain.

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