Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions β 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.
Pericarditis x ray
Introduction
Overview
Overview
A flask-shaped, enlarged cardiac silhouette will be observed on chest x-ray in pericarditis complicated with pericardial effusion or tamponade. A mass may also be seen when malignancy is the cause. Calcification of pericardium may be noted in constrictive pericarditis.
Uncomplicated Pericarditis
Uncomplicated Pericarditis
In uncomplicated pericarditis, in the absence of a pericardial effusion or cardiac tamponade, the heart will not be enlarged on chest x ray.
Complicated Pericarditis
Complicated Pericarditis
A flask-shaped, enlarged cardiac silhouette will be observed on chest X ray in the setting of pericardial effusion or cardiac tamponade.
Chest X Ray Examples
Chest X Ray Examples
Images shown below are courtesy of RadsWiki
Pericardial Masses
Pericardial Masses
Pericardial Calcification
Pericardial Calcification
2015 ESC Guidelines on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Pericarditis (DO NOT EDIT)[1]
2015 ESC Guidelines on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Pericarditis (DO NOT EDIT)[1]
Recommendations for the general diagnostic work-up of pericardial diseases
| Class I |
| 1. In all cases of suspected pericardial disease a first diagnostic evaluation is recommended with:
β auscultation β ECG β transthoracic echocardiography β chest X-ray β routine blood tests, including markers of inflammation (i.e., CRP and/or ESR), white blood cell count with differential count, renal function and liver tests and myocardial lesion tests (CK, troponins). 2. CT and/or CMR are recommended as second-level testing for diagnostic workup in pericarditis. 3. Pericardiocentesis or surgical drainage are indicated for cardiac tamponade or suspected bacterial and neoplastic pericarditis. 4. Further testing is indicated in high-risk patients (defined as above) according to the clinical conditions. (Level of Evidence: C) |
Recommendations for diagnosis of acute pericarditis
| Class I |
| 1. ECG is recommended in all patients with suspected acute pericarditis.
2. Transthoracic echocardiography is recommended in all patients with suspected acute pericarditis. 3. Chest X-ray is recommended in all patients with suspected acute pericarditis. 4. Assessment of markers of inflammation (i.e. CRP) and myocardial injury (i.e. CK, troponin) is recommended in patients with suspected acute pericarditis. (Level of Evidence: C) |
Recommendations for the diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis
| Class I |
| 1. Transthoracic echocardiography is recommended in all patients with suspected constrictive pericarditis.
2. Chest X-ray (frontal and lateral views)with adequate technical characteristics is recommended in all patients with suspected constrictive pericarditis. 3. CT and/or CMR are indicated as second-level imaging techniques to assess calcifications (CT), pericardial thickness, degree and extension of pericardial involvement. 4. Cardiac catheterization is indicated when non-invasive diagnostic methods do not provide a definite diagnosis of constriction. (Level of Evidence: C) |
References
References
- β Adler, Yehuda; Charron, Philippe; Imazio, Massimo; Badano, Luigi; BarΓ³n-Esquivias, Gonzalo; Bogaert, Jan; Brucato, Antonio; Gueret, Pascal; Klingel, Karin; Lionis, Christos; Maisch, Bernhard; Mayosi, Bongani; Pavie, Alain; RistiΔ, Arsen D.; SabatΓ© Tenas, Manel; Seferovic, Petar; Swedberg, Karl; Tomkowski, Witold (2015). “2015 ESC Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of pericardial diseases”. European Heart Journal. 36 (42): 2921β2964. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehv318. ISSNΒ 0195-668X.
β
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Homa Najafi, M.D.[2]