The Role of Dynamic Echocardiography in Identifying Congenital Partial Absence of the Pericardium: A Case Report

Congenital absence of the pericardium (CAP) represents an exceedingly rare cardiac anomaly that poses significant diagnostic challenges. We report a case in which paradoxical interventricular septal motion was observed. Dynamic echocardiography showed visually hyperdynamic cardiac motion and abnormal swinging movements. The bulging segment not enclosed by the pericardium on the anterior area in the apical four-chamber view of the heart exhibits synchronous motion with the adjacent lung tissue. A chest CT imaging finally verified a congenital partial absence of the left pericardium. CAP should be included in the consideration of diagnostic possibilities when dynamic echocardiography showed visually hyperdynamic cardiac motion and abnormal swinging movements.