Diagnosis and Treatment of Pericardial Effusions.

A pericardial effusion is an atypical accumulation of fluid in the pericardial space. It has many potential causes, including cardiac or renal failure, trauma, surgical complications, and myocardial infarctions. Medical imaging aids in diagnosing and determining the cause of pericardial effusions. Echocardiography is the first imaging choice when pericardial effusions are suspected, but cross-sectional computed tomography (CT) and cardiac magnetic resonance (MR) imaging also have important roles. This article discusses the causes and types of pericarditis as well as the advantages of echocardiography, CT, and cardiac MR imaging for diagnosing pericardial effusions. Treatment options and complications also are discussed.