Computerized tomography in pericardial disease.

In many patients conventional radiographic procedures aid the detection of pericardial pathology. Echocardiography is undoubtedly the most satisfactory investigation for assessing pericardial thickening and fluid. However, in special circumstances CT of the mediastinum is able to offer additional information. Small quantities of pericardial air, associated tumor masses, and the extent of a pericardial effusion or pericardial calcification can be displayed most advantageously by CT.