Cardiac CT Appearances
Pericardial Effusion CT Findings
- Anterior, lateral, and posterior portions of pericardium are separated from mediastinal fat
- Pericardial thickening, usually >4mm
- Loculated effusions
- Cardiac silhouette may become featureless
Other Information About Pericardial Effusion
Etiology:
- Infection
- Autoimmune disorders
- Trauma
Epidemiology:
- N/A
Presentation:
- Generally asymptomatic
- Some patients may experience chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, and swelling of the extremities
Prognosis:
- Malignant PE has a median survival of 3-7 months
- More commonly PE is benign which has a good prognosis