Endomyocardial fibrosis: electron-beam CT features.

PURPOSE

To present morphologic and functional electron-beam computed tomographic (CT) features of endomyocardial fibrosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twelve patients with histologic evidence of endomyocardial fibrosis and/or definitive echocardiographic and angiocardiographic findings were examined with electron-beam CT.

RESULTS

Endomyocardial fibrosis was depicted as linear calcifications and/or a thin tissue band of low attenuation within the endomyocardium. In right ventricular involvement, CT depicted obliteration of the apex associated with extension along the free wall and/or papillary muscles of the tricuspid valve. In left ventricular involvement, a large amount of endocardial tissue led to severe obliteration within the inflow tract and/or of the apex. At ventricular volume analysis, restrictive patterns of the disease were determined.

CONCLUSION

Electron-beam CT allows direct visualization of endomyocardial fibrosis and the resulting volumetric changes and enables distinction of the disease from constrictive pericarditis.