Magnetic resonance evaluation of the pericardium

Magnetic resonance (MR) is well suited to imaging the pericardium. High res olution images synchronized with the cardiac cycle can be obtained in any p lane. The wide field of view allows additional anatomical and functional in formation to be obtained from adjacent structures such as the aorta, pleura , lungs and mediastinum. MR is particularly useful in cases of pericardial constriction without an associated effusion, in patients with complex or lo culated pericardial effusions and in pericardial tumours. In this article w e illustrate the characteristic MR features of a variety of pericardial pat hologies.