CT Measurement of Normal Pericardial Thickness in Adults on Computed Tomography.
10.3348/jkrs.1998.39.2.289
- Author:
Young Woo CHOI
1
;
Chan Sup PARK
;
Yong Sun JEON
;
In Young BAE
;
Sung Gyu CHOI
;
Jin Hoe KOO
;
Won Kyun CHUNG
Author Information
1. Department of Radiology, Inha University College of Medicine.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Pericardium, CT
- MeSH:
Adult*;
Female;
Heart Ventricles;
Humans;
Male;
Pericardium;
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
- From:Journal of the Korean Radiological Society
1998;39(2):289-292
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to establish, using computed tomography, the normal thickness of thepericardium in adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CT scans of 50 patients, including sections through the level of theheart, were reviewed. Patients were excluded if there were any suspicions of pericardial abnormality such asinfectious or neoplastic diseases. Twenty-four of the 50 were men and 26 were women; their mean age was 47.0(range,18-76) years. We measured pericardial thickness at the level of the right ventricle, interventricularseptum and left ventricle, and also compared pericardial thickness in terms of age and sex. RESULTS: In allpatients, the pericardium was observed in the right ventricular region; in 41 (82%) at the interventricularseptum; and in 41 (82%) along the left ventricle. The mean thickness of normal pericardium at the level of theright ventricle, interventricular septum, and left ventricle was 1.8 mm +/- 0.5 mm, 1.8 mm +/- 0.4 mm, and 1.7 mm +/-0.5 mm, respectively. No statistically significant correlation was apparent between pericardial thickness and agegroup (p > 0.63, ANOVA test). Mean pericardial thickness was 1.9 mm +/- 0.6 mm in males and 1.7 mm +/- 0.4 mm in females; thus, no statistically significant correlation was apparent between pericardial thickness and sex (p >0.29, Student's t-test). CONCLUSION: The pericardium was best visualized in sections through the right ventricle.The mean thickness of normal pericardium was 1.8 mm +/- 0.5 mm and pericardial thickness did not differ accordingto age or sex.
