CASE 16725 Published on 21.04.2020

Partial absence of pericardium

Section

Cardiovascular

Case Type

Clinical Cases

Authors

Zaib Bin Jawaid, Sohail Iqbal, Lei Zhang, Nik Abidin

  1. Zaib Bin Jawaid, MBBS.

The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, The State and Shandong Province Joint Key Laboratory of Translational Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China

  1. Sohail Iqbal, MBBS, M.Sc.

Department of Cardiac Imaging, Division of Cardiology, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester University (NHS Foundation) Trust, Manchester M23 9LT, U.K
drsohailiqbal@yahoo.com

  1. Lei Zhang

The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, The State and Shandong Province Joint Key Laboratory of Translational Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China

  1.  Dr. Nik Abidin

Department of Cardiology, Salforf Royal Hospital and Department of Cardiac Imaging, Division of Cardiology, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester University (NHS Foundation) Trust, Manchester M23 9LT, U.K

Patient

44 years, male

Categories
Area of Interest Cardiac, Cardiovascular system ; Imaging Technique CT, MR
Clinical History

We present a case of a 44-year-old Caucasian man who presented with acute chest pain and mildly raised troponin levels. Invasive angiography revealed patent and normal coronary arteries. Echocardiography, although challenging due to an unusual cardiac position, revealed trabeculated apical ventricles with dyskinetic inferoseptum.  He had suffered an embolic stroke 8 years ago with residual right-sided weakness.  

Imaging Findings

Contrast-enhanced cardiac MRI (CMR) was performed using arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy viability protocol. The heart was markedly displaced into the left hemithorax (Fig. 1). There was interposition of lung tissue between normally configured thoracic aorta and pulmonary trunk (Fig. 2, 3). Both ventricles had an elongated appearance (Fig. 4), normal indexed volumes and normal biventricular function. There was indentation of the right ventricular (RV) free wall at mid-ventricular level with relative dilatation of the apex (Fig. 5). Dyssynchronous contraction was observed on cine images.  The pericardium was predominantly absent with some pericardium seen adjacent to the RV (Fig. 6, 7). 

Discussion

The heart and origin of the great vessels are enveloped with a two-layered membrane - the pericardium, as most other organs are covered, i.e. lungs by the pleura and abdominal organs by the peritoneum. Parietal and visceral pericardial layers are separated by a thin layer of serous fluid (up to 50 ml) so as to facilitate cardiac contractions and to limit spread of infection and inflammation [1]. Complete or partial absence of pericardium is a rare condition with a reported incidence of 0.002 to 0.004% in a surgical and pathological series [2]. Premature atrophy of the common cardinal vein is a precursor to pericardial agenesis [3]. Patients with pericardial defects and without associated congenital abnormalities can be asymptomatic, otherwise they may present with chest pain and cardiac conduction defects.

Echocardiography, computed tomography (CT) and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging have been used to evaluate the pericardium and its absence. Normal pericardium is 2 mm thick and appears dark on T2-weighted CMR images [4]. Pericardial agenesis may be complete or partial. It is mainly incomplete and left-sided resulting in the interposition of the lung between major vessels. Right-sided and complete absence is rarer. The other features include leftward rotation and elongation of the heart chambers.

Agenesis of the pericardium is associated with bicuspid aortic valve, atrial septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus, mitral valve stenosis, or tetralogy of Fallot, bronchogenic cyst and pulmonary sequestration [5]. Complications of congenital pericardial defect may include herniation and entrapment of a cardiac chamber, especially the left atrial appendage or compression of the left coronary artery [6]. Asymptomatic patients may not be diagnosed until scanned for other reasons and will not require any treatment. Patients with uncomplicated absence of pericardium may need symptomatic treatment. In complicated cases surgical closure or enlargement of the defect may be contemplated to alleviate herniation.

Conclusion: Congenital absence of pericardium is a rare anomaly and may only be detected incidentally. Patients usually present with chest pain and conduction abnormalities and may need symptomatic treatment. Surgical management should be reserved for complicated cases.

Written informed patient consent for publication has been obtained.

Differential Diagnosis List
Partial absence of pericardium
Complete absence of pericardium
Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy
Coronary artery disease
Atypical chest pain
Final Diagnosis
Partial absence of pericardium
Case information
URL: https://www.eurorad.org/case/16725
DOI: 10.35100/eurorad/case.16725
ISSN: 1563-4086
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