title: [Echocardiography in the diagnosis of diseases of the pericardium (author's transl)].
abstract: Echocardiography is a reliable, non-invasive and inexpensive tool for initial diagnosis and for evaluating the course of various cardiopathies. It was first used in diagnosis of pericardial effusion which is still one of it's best indications. Demonstration of an echo-free area behind the posterior wall of the left ventricle, bordered by dense echoes from the pericardium and remaining visible when the transducer is lowered, lead to the diagnosis of pericardial effusion and to quantification of the amount of fluid. The secondary effects can be assessed by analysis of parietal and valvular motion.
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004452:Echocardiography; D006801:Humans; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D010494:Pericarditis, Constrictive / Q000175:diagnosis
vernacular_title: Apport de l'échocardiographie TM dans le diagnostic des affections péricardiques.