Epipericardial fat necrosis: Uncommon cause of acute pleuritic chest pain

Abstract

Epipericardial fat necrosis (EPFN) is a rare cause for acute chest. We describe the case of a previously healthy 25-year-old man who presented with sudden onset of left-sided chest pain. Laboratory values showed only mildly elevated d-dimer and electrocardiogram was normal. However, subsequent CT angiogram of the chest revealed fat necrosis in the epipericardial fat, characteristic for EPFN, for which the patient was treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. This case highlights the importance of radiologists to consider the prospect of EPFN in the differential diagnosis of acute chest pain as correct diagnosis allows for conservative management and avoidance of more aggressive techniques in symptomatic patients. Keywords: Epipericardial fat necrosis, Chest pain, Dyspnea