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Vol. 39. Núm. 2.
Páginas 113-114 (Fevereiro 2020)
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Vol. 39. Núm. 2.
Páginas 113-114 (Fevereiro 2020)
Image in Cardiology
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Epicardial fat necrosis: A rare and benign cause of chest pain
Necrose de gordura epicárdica: causa benigna e rara de dor torácica
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Joana Coutoa,
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joana.couto@ulsam.min-saude.pt

Corresponding author.
, Luís Pontes dos Santosa, Edite Marques Mendesa, Anabela Britob, Raquel Lópeza, Conceição Santosc
a Serviço de Medicina Interna 1 - Unidade Local de Saúde do Alto Minho, Viana do Castelo, Portugal
b Serviço de Medicina Interna 2 - Unidade Local de Saúde do Alto Minho, Ponte de Lima, Portugal
c Serviço de Cardiologia - Unidade Local de Saúde do Alto Minho, Viana do Castelo, Portugal
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Epicardial fat necrosis is a rare condition that should be considered in the differential diagnosis of chest pain. It is a benign self-limited disease of unknown etiology with a good prognosis. The presenting symptom is left-sided pleuritic chest pain and it appears in previously healthy individuals. Computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging can confirm the diagnosis.

A healthy 50-year-old man was admitted to the emergency department for sudden intense pain located in the lower left anterior part of the chest, worsened by deep inspiration and with 10 hours of duration. The patient had had no similar episodes previously. He presented with tachypnea (29 cpm), tachycardia (heart rate 110 bpm) and diaphoresis. The electrocardiogram showed sinus tachycardia, without ischemic changes. Results of blood studies, arterial blood gas testing, cardiac markers, transthoracic echocardiogram and chest radiography were normal. Thoracic CT (Figure 1) showed an ovoid encapsulated mediastinal (epipericardial) fatty lesion in the left cardiophrenic angle with a soft tissue rim and intrinsic and surrounding soft tissue stranding, without pleural effusion. During hospitalization, the patient remained stable under analgesic therapy and was discharged with medication for symptomatic relief (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). After two and five months, thoracic CT showed a reduction of the lesion (Figures 2 and 3).

Figure 1.

Thoracic computed tomography in February 2017 showing an ovoid encapsulated paracardiac fatty lesion in the left cardiophrenic angle with a soft tissue rim and intrinsic and surrounding soft tissue stranding (arrows), without pleural effusion.

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Figure 2.

Thoracic computed tomography in April 2017, showing a reduction in the size of the paracardiac lesion (arrows).

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Figure 3.

Thoracic computed tomography in July 2017, showing further reduction in the size of the paracardiac lesion (arrows).

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Epicardial fat necrosis is an uncommon condition that should be considered in healthy patients presenting with chest pain. At admission, these patients can mimic emergent conditions, such as pulmonary embolism or acute coronary syndrome. Our goal is to raise the awareness of clinicians and radiologists for this condition.

Conflicts of interest

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

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