Massive pericarditis constrictiva calcarea with compression of the right ventricle and consecutive pulmonary embolism

Abstract

A 40-year-old man was admitted with a massive pericarditis constrictiva calcarea. Transthoracic and transoesophageal echocardiography demonstrated a double-layered pericardial calcification with interspacial effusion, a massive compression of the right ventricle, and a thrombus formation in the ventricle. In addition, severe pulmonary embolism due to this right ventricular thrombus formation was diagnosed by CT. This case demonstrates the importance of a multimodal imaging approach (echocardiography, TDI, MRI, CT) in the diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis and pericardial masses. In respect to the severe pericardial calcification with the massive interspacial mass, and the compression of the right ventricle with thrombus formation and consecutive pulmonary embolism, this case appears to be a very rare and uncommon clinical finding. © The Author 2009.