Superior periaortic pericardial recess

Case contributed by Craig Hacking

Diagnosis certain

Citation, DOI, disclosures and case data

Citation:

Hacking C, Superior periaortic pericardial recess. Case study, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 25 Apr 2024) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-43472

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-43472

Permalink:

https://radiopaedia.org/cases/43472?iframe=true

rID:

43472

Disclosures:

At the time the case was submitted for publication Craig Hacking had no recorded disclosures.

Case published:

12 Mar 2016

Revisions:

2 times, by 2 contributors - see full revision history and disclosures

Systems:

Chest, Cardiac

Institution:

Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital

Quiz mode:

Included

From the case: Superior periaortic pericardial recess

Good example of a superior periaortic pericardial recess.

These recesses can be mistaken for normal or pathological lymph nodes. The two distinguishing features are:

they are (pericardial) fluid density whereas nodes are not
they 'hug' the ascending aorta - they are often banana-shaped, with the surface closest to the ascending aorta concave around the aorta. Nodes tender to be round, oval or reniform.