{
  "abstract": "Pericardial fat necrosis (PFN) is a rare, benign cause of acute pleuritic chest pain, sharing symptomatic overlap with more serious cardiopulmonary conditions. We present a case of a woman in her early 50s who experienced progressive, left-sided pleuritic chest pain. Initial investigations, including an ECG, troponin and D-dimer, were negative. On re-presentation, inflammatory markers were raised and a small left pleural effusion was noted. CT pulmonary angiography, performed to exclude pulmonary embolism, revealed focal pericardial fat inflammation, retrospectively diagnosed as PFN. Follow-up imaging demonstrated complete resolution, consistent with the self-limiting nature of the condition. This case highlights the diagnostic challenge posed by PFN, given its non-specific symptoms which often mimic more serious acute pathology. Given that many patients undergo CT imaging as part of their work-up, awareness of PFN can prevent unnecessary, and potentially invasive, further investigations.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Respiratory Medicine, NHS North Bristol NHS Trust, Bristol, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Krishan Ragab Bansal"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "University of Bristol Academic Respiratory Unit, Westbury on Trym, England, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Rebecca Crook"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Radiology Department, Southmead Hospital, Bristol, England, UK"
      ],
      "name": "William Cooper"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Pericardial fat necrosis: an underdiagnosed cause of acute chest pain",
  "uid": "ff9fcd3a-2208-51b9-b286-c7714cbcd6a6"
}