Case Report
Copyright ©2014 Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Clin Cases. Sep 16, 2014; 2(9): 455-458
Published online Sep 16, 2014. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v2.i9.455
Incidental findings of pericardial calcification
Tin Nguyen, Charles Phillips, Assad Movahed
Tin Nguyen, Charles Phillips, Assad Movahed, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, East Carolina University, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina Heart Institute, Greenville, NC 27834, United States
Author contributions: Nguyen T, Phillips C and Movahed A contributed to the manuscript writing and revision.
Supported by The “East Carolina Heart Institute”
Correspondence to: Assad Movahed, MD, FACC, FACP, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, East Carolina University, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina Heart Institute, 115 Heart Drive, Mail Stop 651, Greenville, NC 27834, United States. movaheda@ecu.edu
Telephone: +1-252-7444400 Fax: +1-252-7447724
Received: May 2, 2014
Revised: May 22, 2014
Accepted: June 27, 2014
Published online: September 16, 2014
Processing time: 145 Days and 14.7 Hours
Abstract

Calcification of the pericardium is a relatively rare finding and often has an uncertain etiology. Incidental findings of pericardial calcification may increase due to widespread application of cardiac computed tomography for the assessment of coronary atherosclerosis in the appropriate clinical setting using coronary artery calcium scoring and/or coronary angiography. Pericardial calcification alone is asymptomatic and is neither necessary nor sufficient for the diagnosis of pericardial constriction. Its presence may suggest of diffused pericardial scarring and consequently, its pathological involvement with pericardial constriction. Calcification of the pericardium must be evaluated with full clinical knowledge to facilitate an accurate diagnosis and an appropriate therapy when required. Our objective is to present a case of asymptomatic pericardial calcification and to discuss the importance of its clinical implications.

Keywords: Pericardial calcification; Constrictive pericarditis; Cardiac computed tomography

Core tip: Pericardial calcification is rare but may be found more often due to the widespread use of cardiac computed tomography for the assessment of coronary atherosclerosis. Pericardial calcification can be seen in the absence of constrictive physiology and therefore, it should be evaluated with full clinical knowledge.