CT Evaluation of Postoperative Pericardal Adhesion in Patients Receiving Redo-Valve Surgery

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of computed tomography(CT) in detecting pericardial adhesion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CT of 32 patients with 'redo-valve surgery' was retrospectively evaluated for the location and appearance of their surgically confirmed pericardial adhesion. CT of 20 cases without cardiac or pericardial disease was reviewed as normal control. RESULTS: Nodular increased density at the site of adhesion between the sternum and the right atrium(RA) or ascending aorta(n=10), retrosternal dirty fat(n=10), obliteration of the pericardial fat(n=28), cardiac contour change with or without nodular epicardial fat accumulation(n=10), diffuse pericardial thickening(n=14), and pericardial calcification(n=13) were considered to be important findings. We also noticed an additional findings of beak-like projection of RA appendage(n=13), but was considered less significant because they were also observed in 4 normal subjects. CONCLUSION: CT scan is an effective, simple, and noninvasive method for predicting pericardial adhesion that may be occurred after redo-valve surgery.