自民國71年1月至76年11月,國立台灣大學醫學院附設醫院共有13例經外科手術及病理組織證實為心包炎,其中5例曾接受電腦斷層掃描檢查。在這些病例裡,初步的傳統性胸腔放射線影像固然提供了心包炎的部份資料,諸如心臟體積的改變,心周緣的平直感,心包膜的鈣化等,但這些線索卻難以提供心包膜積水或心包膜增厚的有力證據及鑑別,而電腦斷層掃描卻準確地測知心包膜的增厚,積水及鈣化等來建立心包炎的確實診斷性;另外,如奇靜脈及上腔靜脈之擴張更可提供收縮性心包炎之診斷,故電腦斷層掃描為一診斷心包炎準碓性之利器。
Computed tomographic (CT) findings of 5 patients with pathologically proven pericarditis are presented. Initial investigation by conventional chest radiograph gives inconclusive information regarding the disease. But it is difficult in prediction the thickeness of pericardium. Our results suggest that an enhanced, thickened pericardium as well as pleural effusion presenting chiefly on the right side may establish the diagnosis of pericarditis. Moreover, dilated azygous vein and superior vena cava (SVC) were clearly demnstrated by CT in our case of constrictive pericarditis.