The role of early contrast-enhanced chest computed tomography in the aetiological diagnosis of patients presenting with cardiac tamponade or large pericardial effusion

The role of chest computed tomography (CT) is not well defined for either diagnosis or management of pericardial disease. The aim of this study, – published on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology, – was to evaluate the added value of early chest CT in the diagnostic workup for patients presenting with cardiac tamponade or large pericardial effusion of unknown aetiology as the first manifestation of disease.

In all patients with cardiac tamponade or large pericardial effusion, CT was useful either in identifying the underlying disease or in excluding other potential causes of pericardial effusion. We conclude that chest CT is a very useful non-invasive diagnostic tool to identify and stage pericardial diseases.

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