Partial absence of the left pericardium. Diagnosis by two-dimensional echocardiography
T. W. Rowland, E. A. Twible, W. I. Norwood Jr and J. F. Keane
The partial absence of the left pericardium is an unusual cause of syncope
and chest pain in children. The identification of this lesion is important
because of potential herniation of the left side of the heart through the
defect, resulting in fatal strangulation. Initial suspicion of the
diagnosis should be raised by the typical cardiac contour on the chest
roentgenogram. Two-dimensional echocardiography and cineangiography at
cardiac catheterization are additional helpful studies in identifying
partial pericardial defects.
