Congenital complete and partial absence of the left pericardium

Wien Med Wochenschr. 2013 Sep;163(17-18):426-8. doi: 10.1007/s10354-013-0178-4. Epub 2013 Feb 5.

Abstract

Congenital absence of pericardium is a rare malformation. We report 2 young patients with a diagnosis of congenital absence of the pericardium. The posteroanterior view of the chest X-ray showed displacement of the left cardiac border into the left hemithorax. Unusual acoustical windows and abnormal cardiac and septal motion during echocardiography suggested the diagnosis of congenital absence of pericardium. Magnetic resonance imaging definitive confirmed diagnosis of congenital absence of pericardium.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Chest Pain / etiology
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Echocardiography
  • Female
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / diagnosis*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Pericardium / abnormalities*
  • Pericardium / pathology
  • Syncope / etiology
  • Young Adult