[Congenital left-sided pericardial defects (author's transl)].

Left-sided pericardial defects appear to be more common than is generally thought. Five such patients have been seen in the last two years. The typical findings on x-ray, CT and cardiac ultrasound are described. Proof of the condition is the increased mobility of the left cardiac contour and of its dorsal margin as shown by left and right decubitus films, by films of the supine patient taken with a horizontal beam, fluoroscopy in inspiration and expiration and computer tomography of the heart in left and right decubitus position. Recognition of the anomaly is of importance, since it may spare the patient surgical treatment.