Front chest x-ray demonstrates marked enlargement of the cardiac outline. This was due to pericardial effusion and is a good example of the water bottle sign. This refers to the shape of the cardiac silhouette on erect frontal chest x-rays in patients who have a very large pericardial effusion. The fluid, often measuring a litre or more, causes the pericardium to sag mimicking an old-fashioned water bottle sitting on a bench. Typically the effusion has accumulated over many weeks (e.g. in patients with malignancy) and the pericardium has gradually stretched.