CincyKidsRad

Cincinnati Children's Radiology

Pericardial fat necrosis

Sagittal (image 1), coronal (image 2), axial (image 3), and oblique coronal (image 4) contrast-enhanced CT in an adolescent with chest pain shows pericardial fat necrosis. Paracardial fat necrosis is a rarely described condition. Patients described sudden onset of severe pleuritic chest pain. The cause is unknown and may be similar to omental infarct.