Constrictive pericarditis

Case contributed by Abdallah Alqudah
Diagnosis probable

Presentation

Shortness of breath, cough, and generalized weakness.

Patient Data

Age: 60 years
Gender: Male
x-ray

Diffuse pericardial calcification seen along the left lateral and inferior wall of the heart.

There is widening of the carinal angle suggesting left atrial enlargement.

ct

Diffuse pericardial calcification with dilatation of the right atrium and IVC with a relatively small sized right ventricle. The maximum pericardial thickness measures about 1.4 cm.

Case Discussion

The patient's echocardiogram showed an ejection fraction of approximately 50%, left ventricular impairment, bi-atrial enlargement and grade I mitral regurgitation. 

The constellation of CT scan, x-ray and echo-cardiogram findings in addition to patient's presentation suggests constrictive pericarditis.

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.