Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated the preaortic recess in 82% and the retroaortic recess in 67% of nongated transverse scans.
Observational (n=46)
Can magnetic resonance imaging accurately demonstrate the superior pericardial space and its recesses?
MRI can reliably identify the superior pericardial recesses, which is important to avoid mistaking them for vascular structures, aortic dissection, or thrombus.
The potential of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the superior pericardial space was evaluated in a retrospective review of MR images of 46 subjects. The superior pericardial space and its two recesses had low signal intensity. The preaortic recess was demonstrated on 82% of nongated transverse scans. The retroaortic recess was demonstrated on 67% of nongated transverse scans. Generally, both recesses were shown with an even higher frequency on ECG-gated and ECG-permutation-gated scans. Knowledge of the location and typical appearance of these pericardial recesses should preclude mistaking them on MRI for a vascular structure, aortic dissection, or an atherosclerotic plaque or mural thrombus within the ascending aorta.
McMurdo et al. (Fri,) reported a observational. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was evaluated on Demonstration of the preaortic and retroaortic recesses. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated the preaortic recess in 82% and the retroaortic recess in 67% of nongated transverse scans.