Constrictive pericarditis from an embolized hypodermic needle: radiographic, CT and MR imaging findings.
We present the radiographic, computed tomographic (CT), and magnetic resonance (MR) findings in a woman with constrictive pericarditis due to an embolized hypodermic needle. The chest films revealed pleural effusions but no foreign body. The CT showed pericardial thickening and a linear foreign body of metallic attenuation in the right ventricular apex, and MR imaging revealed a signal void with magnetic susceptibility artifact. This case illustrates the capabilities and limitations of CT and MR imaging in hypodermic needle-induced constrictive pericarditis.
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston TX 77030, USA.
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JC
Trent
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Lau
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Kawashima
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005549:Foreign-Body Reaction / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D009339:Needles / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010494:Pericarditis, Constrictive / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed