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Water bottle heart

Case contributed by Ian Bickle
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Shortness of breath. Fluid overload?

Patient Data

Age: 75 years
Gender: Female
x-ray

'Water bottle heart' of gross globular cardiomegaly.

Small bilateral pleural effusions. Lungs clear.

Case Discussion

Massive cardiomegaly with a globular appearance of the heart, which may be termed a 'water bottle heart' as the shape represents the traditional water bottle.

It is typically described in the context of pericardial effusion.

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