IMPORTANT: We currently have a number of bugs related to image cropping and are actively trying to resolve them. In the meantime, we have disabled cropping. Apologies for any inconvenience. Stay informed: radiopaedia.org/chat

Cardiomegaly

Case contributed by Sarmad Aslam
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Shortness of breath and bilateral pitting edema

Patient Data

Age: 80 years
Gender: Female

Chest

x-ray

Marked cardiomegaly. 

Clear lungs and pleural spaces.

Mild splaying of the carina indicating left atrium enlargement.

Case Discussion

Cardiomegaly may show double heart border on the right side where the medial contour corresponds to the left atrium whilst the lateral contour corresponds to the right atrium when the case is due to mitral valve disease. These findings are not seen in this case.

Despite the markedly enlarged heart, there is no evidence of cardiac failure.

How to use cases

You can use Radiopaedia cases in a variety of ways to help you learn and teach.

Creating your own cases is easy.

Updating… Please wait.

 Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.

 Thank you for updating your details.