Transient constrictive pericarditis diagnosed by cardiac magnetic resonance, 67Ga scintigraphy, and positron emission tomography

Int J Cardiol. 2009 Nov 12;137(3):e70-2. doi: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2009.04.046. Epub 2009 May 24.

Abstract

Constrictive pericarditis occurs following pericardial fibrosis and often leads to refractory right side heart failure. Surgical relief is often required for correction of hemodynamic abnormalities. Two recent reports described a transient form of constrictive pericarditis that resolved without surgical intervention. In this case, we present representative images of transient constrictive pericarditis detected by late gadolinium enhancement of cardiac magnetic resonance, 67Ga scintigraphy, and 18FDG positron emission tomography before and after corticosteroid therapy. This is the first demonstration of the utility of imaging modalities in the diagnosis of transient constrictive pericarditis, and we document radiologic changes in pericardial inflammation after medical therapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Letter

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Contrast Media
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
  • Gallium Radioisotopes
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Pericarditis, Constrictive / diagnosis*
  • Pericarditis, Constrictive / drug therapy
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Tomography, Emission-Computed

Substances

  • Contrast Media
  • Gallium Radioisotopes
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18