Why the study?
Despite recent advances in evaluating and managing pericardial diseases that highlight the importance of accurate pathologic assessment, the handling, processing, and reporting of pericardial specimens had not been formally addressed in recent years.
Provides an international standardized consensus framework and nomenclature for the pathologic evaluation and reporting of surgical and postmortem non-neoplastic pericardial specimens.
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Standardizes pericardial specimen handling and reporting; extends recent advances with consensus protocols to improve diagnostic consistency.
BACKGROUND AND AIM: Recent advances in the evaluation and management of pericardial diseases highlight the importance of accurate pathologic assessment. Despite these current developments, the handling, processing, and reporting of pericardial specimens have not been formally addressed in recent years. This consensus document is intended to enable the pathologist to evaluate the pericardium as a surgical specimen as well as at postmortem examination, with particular emphasis on standardized gross and microscopic assessment of the pericardium. METHODS AND RESULTS: An international expert panel comprising volunteer members of the Society for Cardiovascular Pathology and the Association for European Cardiovascular Pathology was convened to develop consensus recommendations. Strong agreement on best practices was achieved through a series of in-person and hybrid virtual meetings. The document outlines recommendations for the handling and processing of surgical pericardial specimens, including appropriate histochemical and immunohistochemical stains and ancillary diagnostic studies. Guidance for the systematic examination of the pericardium at autopsy is also provided. In addition, a nomenclature for common and well-defined pathologic processes is proposed, together with relevant differential diagnoses. The recommended terminology encompasses the predominant inflammatory cell infiltrates and the spectrum of organization from fibrinous pericarditis to established pericardial fibrosis. CONCLUSION: This consensus document provides a standardized framework for the pathologic evaluation of the pericardium with the goal of improving diagnostic consistency, facilitating communication among clinicians and pathologists, and promoting uniformity in clinical practice and research.
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Tan et al. (2026) studied Non-neoplastic pericardial diseases. Standardized pathologic examination, processing, and reporting of pericardial specimens was evaluated. Standardized consensus recommendations were established for handling, processing, and reporting surgical and postmortem non-neoplastic pericardial specimens to improve diagnostic consistency.
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