Prevalence of "high-riding" superior pericardial recesses on thin-section 16-MDCT scans.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of "high-riding" superior pericardial recess (HRSPR) on thin-section (1 mm) 16-multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) scans.


METHODS
Three hundred and fourteen consecutive chest CT scans obtained with a thin-section 16 MDCT were retrospectively evaluated. The prevalence and characteristic of HRSPR were analyzed.


RESULTS
HRSPR was depicted in 21 patients (11 men and 10 women) (6.6%) who ranged in age from 28 to 72 years (mean age, 57 years). The extended recesses were rounded/oval shaped in five patients and triangular, spindle, half moon or irregular shaped in the other 16 patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data suggest as HRSPRs are more frequently and better depicted on thinsection MDCT scans, and this improves the capability to distinguish this superior extension of the superior aortic recess from abnormal findings such as lymphadenopathy, cystic lesions, and aortic dissection.
Basile
Antonio
A
Department of Radiology and Interventional Radiology, Ospedale Ferrarotto, via Citelli, 8 95124 Catania, Italy. antodoc@yahoo.com
Bisceglie
Paola
P
Giulietti
Giorgio
G
Calcara
Giacomo
G
Figuera
Michele
M
Mundo
Elena
E
Granata
Antonio
A
Runza
Giuseppe
G
Privitera
Carmelo
C
Privitera
Giambattista
G
Patti
Maria Teresa
MT
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010496:Pericardium / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015898:Tomography Scanners, X-Ray Computed