Acta radiologica
-
Pericardial effusion in patients who have recently undergone cardiac surgery is often trapped in compartments. CT of the pericardium provides good information about the distribution of pericardial fluid in the postoperative period after cardiac surgery. Contrary to echocardiography, CT imaging is not affected by postoperative mediastinal emphysema and pain from the wound. A method for CT-guided pericardiocentesis was developed. ⋯ CT-guided pericardiocentesis offers a new possibility in patients where fluoroscopically or echocardiographically guided pericardiocentesis is difficult.