PMC5379904_01
A. Pre-operative MRI (2008): pericardial thickening and tubular ventricular morphology with indentation of the LV lateral wall and the RV free wall. B. Bost-operative MRI (2011): normal relaxation pattern of the right ventricle with no residual indentation.
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Magnetic Resonance (MRI) depicted elongated compressed ventricles and diastolic displacement of the IVS at rest, exaggerated during inspiration, suggesting interventricular coupling [Fig. 1A].
A, B. Photomicrograph of pericardial specimen 2008: chronic, fibrous thickening and patchy chronic inflammatory infiltrate of lymphocytes and plasma cells, no granulomas or malignant cells. Haematoxylin and eosin staines section (Fig. 2A): dense paucicellular fibrous tissue. Elastic van Gieson stained section (Fig. 2B): black elastic fibres. C, D. Photomicrograph of pericardial specimen 2011: dense hyalinised fibrous tissue with sparse lymphocytes and focal haemosiderin. Haematoxylin and eosin staines section (Fig. 2C): dense paucicellular fibrous tissue. Elastic van Gieson stained section (Fig. 2D): black elastic fibres.
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Histological examination of the pericardium showed fibrous thickening and lymphocytic infiltrates [Fig. 2A, B]. A 6 mm thick fibrous layer constricting the heart was dissected off, up to the phrenic nerves [Fig. 2C, D].