What Is Pericarditis?
6. How Is the Condition Diagnosed?
The diagnosis of pericarditis begins with an initial examination. The doctor will listen to the chest for the rubbing of the pericardial layers. The friction between the layers can create a distinctive sound. If the sound is present and other symptoms align with the diagnosis, then the physician will order further diagnostic testing to confirm.
Several diagnostic tools may help confirm the pericarditis diagnosis: chest X-ray, MRI, CT, electrocardiogram, or an echocardiogram. X-rays can offer a good depiction of the fluid buildup around the heart, but a CT provides a more detailed image.
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