Endomyocardial fibrosis: electron-beam CT features.
OBJECTIVE
To present morphologic and functional electron-beam computed tomographic (CT) features of endomyocardial fibrosis.


METHODS
Twelve patients with histologic evidence of endomyocardial fibrosis and/or definitive echocardiographic and angiocardiographic findings were examined with electron-beam CT.


RESULTS
Endomyocardial fibrosis was depicted as linear calcifications and/or a thin tissue band of low attenuation within the endomyocardium. In right ventricular involvement, CT depicted obliteration of the apex associated with extension along the free wall and/or papillary muscles of the tricuspid valve. In left ventricular involvement, a large amount of endocardial tissue led to severe obliteration within the inflow tract and/or of the apex. At ventricular volume analysis, restrictive patterns of the disease were determined.


CONCLUSIONS
Electron-beam CT allows direct visualization of endomyocardial fibrosis and the resulting volumetric changes and enables distinction of the disease from constrictive pericarditis.
Mousseaux
E
E
Department of Cardiovascular Radiology, Hôpital Broussais, Paris, France.
Hernigou
A
A
Azencot
M
M
Sapoval
M
M
Auguste
M
M
Papo
T
T
Chauvaud
S
S
Gaux
J C
JC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004452:Echocardiography; D004719:Endomyocardial Fibrosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006321:Heart / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013318:Stroke Volume; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016276:Ventricular Function