Double density sign (left atrium)
Last revised by Francis Deng on 25 Nov 2023
Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Gaillard F, Deng F, Murphy A, et al. Double density sign (left atrium). Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 05 Oct 2024) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-20322
rID:
20322
Article created:
Disclosures:
At the time the article was created Frank Gaillard had no recorded disclosures.
View Frank Gaillard's current disclosures
Last revised:
25 Nov 2023,
Francis Deng ◉
Disclosures:
At the time the article was last revised Francis Deng had no financial relationships to ineligible companies to disclose.
View Francis Deng's current disclosures
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Synonyms:
- Double right heart border
- Double contour sign
- Double contour sign of left atrial enlargement
- Right retrocardiac double density
The double-density sign, also known as the double right heart border, is seen on frontal chest radiographs in the presence of left atrial enlargement, and occurs when the right side of the left atrium extends behind the right cardiac shadow, indenting the adjacent lung and forming its own distinct silhouette 1-3.
If large enough, the left atrium can actually reach beyond the border of the right atrium; this is known as atrial escape 3. The right superior pulmonary vein can lead to a similar appearance 1.
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See also
References
- 1. Higgins CB, Reinke RT, Jones NE et-al. Left atrial dimension on the frontal thoracic radiograph: a method for assessing left atrial enlargement. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1978;130 (2): 251-5. AJR Am J Roentgenol (abstract) - Pubmed citation
- 2. Webb WR, Higgins CB. Thoracic Imaging. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. (2010) ISBN:1605479764. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon
- 3. Brant WE, Helms C. Fundamentals of Diagnostic Radiology. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. (2012) ISBN:1608319113. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon
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Articles:
Cases:
- Double right heart border sign
- Left atrial thrombus resulting in stroke
- Tetralogy of Fallot
- Cardiomegaly with left atrium enlargement
- Double density sign of left atrial enlargement
- MacCallum's patch - rheumatic heart disease
- Mitral heart
- Left atrial enlargement on chest radiography (illustration)
- Left atrial enlargement
- Left atrial enlargement (due to mitral valve regurgitation)
- Cardiomegaly with left atrial enlargement
- Mitral stenosis
- Left atrial enlargement
- Pulmonary oedema
- Mitral valve regurgitation
- Left atrial enlargement
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