Partial agenesis of the pericardium: imaging characterization.

Abstract

Pericardial partial agenesis is a congenital anomaly, which results from premature atrophy of the common cardinal vein or Cuvier's duct. The most commonly presented clinical symptomatology is fatigue, atypical precordial pain, pericarditis, arrhythmias and even sudden death. Imaging studies are important in diagnosis. We present the case of a 47-year-old patient with no personal or family cardiological history, who came to the clinic for an acute abdominal condition (cholecystitis), for which reason he underwent surgery. During his convalescence, he experienced an episode of sinus bradycardia that led to imaging studies such as chest x-ray and CT angiography, showing signs suggestive of the abnormality.