Experimental pericardial inflammation evaluated by computed tomography.

Experimental pericardial inflammation was evaluated with ungated and cardiac gated computed tomography (CT) in 12 dogs, including 2 controls. All were studied during and after contrast infusion; in addition, several were sequentially imaged for up to six weeks after inducing inflammation by instilling toxic materials into the pericardial space. All dogs with inflammation had contrast enhancement of the parietal and visceral pericardium; this could be demonstrated within one week of the pericardial insult and for up to six weeks and was frequently associated with effusion. Increased pericardial density was not seen in controls or animals with pericarditis prior to contrast infusion. This technique may be useful in evaluating acute pericardial inflammation.