SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Epipericardial Fat Necrosis Leading to Chest Pain: A Systematic Review

Pdf Summary

This systematic review examined epipericardial fat necrosis (EFN), a benign but underrecognized cause of acute chest pain that can mimic serious cardiopulmonary disease. The authors searched PubMed, Embase, LILACS, and SciELO using multiple EFN-related terms and PRISMA guidelines, identifying 63 case reports from 55 articles after screening 142 records.<br /><br />The review found that EFN most often affects middle-aged patients and presents primarily with chest pain, reported in more than 90% of cases. The pain is commonly left-sided and pleuritic. Dyspnea was the most frequent associated symptom, occurring in about 25.4% of cases. Diagnosis relies heavily on chest imaging, especially computed tomography (CT), which is key to recognizing the characteristic findings and avoiding unnecessary invasive testing.<br /><br />The authors emphasize that EFN may be more common than previously thought but is likely underdiagnosed due to low clinical suspicion. Because the condition typically has a benign course and favorable prognosis, conservative treatment with NSAIDs or simple analgesics is considered appropriate in most cases. Overall, the review highlights the importance of considering EFN in the differential diagnosis of acute chest pain to prevent overtreatment and reduce extensive workups.

Asset Subtitle

Cilomar Martins

Meta Tag

Author List Cilomar Martins, Crystal Campos Teixeira, Giovanni Pinotti Zin, Henrique Cabral Scherer, Manoela Astolfi Vivan, Pedro Arend Guazzelli, Sandro Cadaval Gonçalves

Category Research

Concept Epipericardial Fat Necrosis

Concept Acute Chest Pain

Concept Chest Computed Tomography

Concept Radiologic Findings

Concept Conservative Therapy

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Mass General Brigham, Salem Hospital

Presenting Author Cilomar Martins

Track Outcomes Research

Keywords

epipericardial fat necrosis

acute chest pain

chest computed tomography

benign condition

pleuritic pain

dyspnea

systematic review

conservative treatment

NSAIDs

differential diagnosis

Epipericardial Fat Necrosis

Acute Chest Pain

Chest Computed Tomography

Radiologic Findings

Conservative Therapy