Pericardial effusion on X‑ray: 7 real cases

Real, openly licensed radiographs showing pericardial effusion. Study what to look for, then open each case and read it yourself before revealing the answer.

What to look for

  • Globular enlarged heart.
  • Rapid change from the previous film.
  • Clear lungs.

Learn: Heart failure and pulmonary oedema

Quiz yourself on chest images

Cases

Radiograph from the case bank: Pericardial effusionCase #12228406Chest · AdvancedRadiograph from the case bank: Pericardial effusionCase #12228453Chest · AdvancedRadiograph from the case bank: Pericardial effusionCase #64458075Chest · AdvancedRadiograph from the case bank: Pericardial effusionCase #19364346Chest · AdvancedRadiograph from the case bank: Pericardial effusionCase #112639015Chest · AdvancedRadiograph from the case bank: Pericardial effusionCase #13114215Chest · AdvancedRadiograph from the case bank: Pericardial effusionCase #19599211Chest · Advanced

Other chest diagnoses

Diagnoses come from each image's documented source. Credits and licences are shown on each case and on the image credits page.