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Pericardial agenesis

Case contributed by Ben Hudson
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Cough, otherwise asymptomatic with no previous history of cardiac problems, surgery or trauma.

Patient Data

Age: Adult
Gender: Male
x-ray
  • lung interposition between main pulmonary artery and aorta is suggested
  • leftward shift and rounding of the cardiac apex
ct
  • interposition of lung between the main pulmonary artery and ascending aorta
  • levorotation of the heart
  • leftward shift of the heart
  • pericardium not visible on CT

Case Discussion

A case of absence of the pericardium - or pericardial agenesis.

Often found incidentally. Pericardial absence can be complete or partial. In this case the finding was incidental and the patient was entirely asymptomatic.

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