Pericarditis - Organized - I

An example of chronic pericarditis shows a pericardium that is at least 3 times thicker than normal due to fibrosis. As the fibrosis progresses the thickness of the fibrous pericardium increases.  If there is thickening and fusion of the fibrous pericardium to the visceral pericardium, there is a possibility of for constriction.



Another example of dense fibrous pericarditis without calcification. The parietal pericardium is thickened due to the additional dense (yellow) fibrous tissue that shows no fibroblasts, inflammatory infiltrates or neovascularization. This represents a quiescent phase but may already be associated with pericardial constriction. (H&E stain and Movat pentachrome stain).

In some instances a fibrous pericarditis that has been quiescent can reactivate if further injury to the pericardium occurs. In these instances new inflammatory infiltrates occur and the process of exudation and repair is repeated.

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