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. 2004 Nov-Dec;22(6):405-7.

Postmortem computed tomographic (PMCT) findings of pericardial effusion due to acute aortic dissection

Seiji Shiotani  1 , Ko Watanabe, Mototsugu Kohno, Noriyoshi Ohashi, Kentaro Yamazaki, Hidetsugu Nakayama
Affiliations
  • PMID: 15648456

Postmortem computed tomographic (PMCT) findings of pericardial effusion due to acute aortic dissection

Seiji Shiotani et al. Radiat Med. 2004 Nov-Dec.

Abstract

Purpose: To describe the appearance of pericardial effusion in deceased acute aortic dissection patients using postmortem computed tomography (PMCT).

Materials and methods: PMCT examinations were performed within 2 hours of death in 30 patients with pericardial effusion due to aortic dissection who arrived at our hospital in a state of cardiopulmonary arrest.

Results: Pericardial effusion in 18 of 30 patients (60%) showed double concentric rings on PMCT with striking differences in density, a low-density outer ring along the pericardium and a high-density inner ring on the epicardial surface (hyperdense armored heart). Pericardial effusion in two patients (7%) showed a high-density fluid level (hypostasis). Pericardial effusion in the remaining 10 patients (33%) showed no such stratification.

Conclusion: A "hyperdense armored heart" is the most frequently seen PMCT finding in deceased cases of pericardial effusion due to acute aortic dissection.

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