A curved low-density shadow seen in the pericardium suggests a pericardial effusion, which may be the result of pericardial tissue pathology, or it may be the result of adjacent organ disease or systemic disease.
Arcuate hypointense shadow is an imaging term that is mostly used in CT examinations. Arcuate hypodense shadow usually refers to fluid accumulation, while arcuate hypodense shadow in the pericardium suggests pericardial effusion. There are many causes of pericardial effusion, either primary to the pericardium itself or secondary to neighboring organ disease or systemic disease.
Common causes of pericardial effusion include tumors, infections, idiopathic pericarditis, tuberculous pericarditis, etc. Severe circulation stasis can lead to leaky pericardial effusion, and puncture wounds, cardiothoracic surgery and coronary perforation caused by interventional procedures can cause bloody pericardial effusion.
In addition, pericardial effusion can be caused by heart attack, aortic coarctation and other adjacent organ diseases, autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, endocrine metabolic diseases such as uremia, drug allergies such as procainamide, and radiation therapy.
In conclusion, there are many causes of pericardial effusion. When pericardial effusion occurs, it is recommended to seek medical treatment in time to avoid serious consequences such as pericardial compression.