Pseudopericardial effusions in heart transplant recipients.
BACKGROUND
The objective of this study was to determine the nature of sonographically observed band-shaped, homogeneous, almost echo-free structures located ventral to the right ventricle of the heart in heart transplant recipients.


METHODS
A total of 212 consecutive heart transplant recipients was evaluated sonographically.


RESULTS
In 18 of the 212 patients (8.5%) band-shaped structures were detected, and these structures were proved with computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging to be caused by mediastinal fat.


CONCLUSIONS
A sonographically demonstrable, almost echo-free band-shaped structure located ventral to the heart should not be misinterpreted as localized pericardial effusion.
Dorffner
R
R
Department of Radiology, University of Vienna, Austria.
Metz
V M
VM
Eibenberger
K L
KL
Dock
W I
WI
Hörmann
M
M
Buxbaum
P
P
Grabenwöger
F
F
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D016027:Heart Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography