Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Constrictive pericarditis x-ray
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Plain chest radiographs in patients with constrictive pericarditis may show pericardial calcification, small cardiac silhouette (uncomplicated CP), large cardiac silhouette (if CP coexist with cardiomyopathy). Less reliable plain radiographic findings include an abnormal cardiac contour, such as straightening of the right atrial border and, more rarely, straightening of the right and left cardiac borders, with obliteration of the normal curves, on frontal images. The absence of calcification does not exclude the diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis.
X-ray
X-ray
Plain chest radiographs may show the following:
- Pericardial calcification
- Small cardiac silhouette (uncomplicated CP)
- Large cardiac silhouette (if CP coexist with cardiomyopathy)
Less reliable plain radiographic findings include an abnormal cardiac contour, such as
- Straightening of the right atrial border
- Straightening of the right and left cardiac borders, with obliteration of the normal curves, on frontal images. (more rarely)
The absence of calcification does not exclude the disease
- Pleural effusion (44–50% of patients with CP ), bilateral or unilateral
References
References
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Huda A. Karman, M.D.