Epipericarditis
Clinical:
Epipericardial fat necrosis (epipericardits) is an uncommon benign condition of unknown cause that manifests with acute pleuritic chest pain and no prodrome [1]. Unlike the chest pain associated with an MI, that in epipericarditis may be focal and may vary with changes in patient position, similar to pericarditis [1]. Troponin levels are not elevated in epipericarditis [1]. The condition can be treated effectively with antiinflammatory medications [1].X-ray:
CT: CT may show focal increased attenuation within the epipericardial fat which is diagnostic of the condition in the appropriate clinical setting [1].REFERENCES:
(1) Radiographics 2011; James OG, et al. Utility of FDG PET/CT in inflammatory cardiovascular disease. 31: 1271-1286
