Imaging findings of pericardial metastasis on chest computed tomography.
BACKGROUND
To assess imaging features of pericardial metastases on chest computed tomography (CT) scanning.


METHODS
This institutional review board-approved retrospective study included 60 patients (24 men, 36 women; mean age, 62 [SD, 13] years). All chest CT scans for these patients were reviewed independently for presence of pericardial effusion, irregularity, enhancement, nodules, and masses and presence of coexistent cardiac lesions (metastasis). Location of pericardial nodules and irregularity and type and location of primary malignancy were recorded.


RESULTS
Of these 60 patients with pericardial metastasis, 54 (90%) had pericardial effusion (small in 23/54 and moderate to large in 31/54 patients); 14 (23%) of 60 patients had nodules or masses in the pericardium; 21 (35%) of 60 had pericardial enhancement; and 27 (45%) of 60 had pericardial thickening. Prepericardial lymph nodes were present in 39 (65%) of 60 patients. The most common location of pericardial nodules and irregularity was along the free wall of the right ventricle (6/14) and right atrioventricular groove (5/14). Other 3 of 14 patients had pericardial nodule over the left ventricle, in oblique sinus of the pericardium, and interventricular groove each.


CONCLUSIONS
Most frequent CT features of pericardial metastases include pericardial effusion, prepericardial lymph nodes, and pericardial thickening, enhancement, and nodules in order of decreasing frequency.
Prakash
Priyanka
P
Division of Thoracic Radiology, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
Kalra
Mannudeep K
MK
Stone
James R
JR
Shepard
Jo-Anne O
JA
Digumarthy
Subba R
SR
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006338:Heart Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000556:secondary*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010496:Pericardium / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*
D003287:Contrast Media