Complete Absence of the Pericardium

Abstract

Congenital absence of pericardium is a rarely detected disease in the clinical practice. It is divided into complete and partial (with left and right localization, respectively). Complete absence accounts for 9% of all reported cases. In most cases patients are asymptomatic, echocardiographic examination guides us to verify the diagnosis with additional imaging studies such as Computer Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonanse Imaging (MRI). Surgical treatment is recommended when there is marked clinical symptomatology. We present a case of a 21-year-old patient who was hospitalized because of  atypical precordial discomfort. Complete agenesis of the pericardium was diagnosed during the hospitalization