Figure 1

Normal pericardium on T1-weighted fast spin-echo CMR in axial direction. (a), short-axis (b), and vertical long-axis (c), and axial view of superior aortic pericardial recess (d). The normal pericardium is visible as a thin curvilinear structure (arrows) with low signal intensity surrounded by the bright epicardial and mediastinal fat (a-c). Pericardial visualization is often hampered along the free wall of the left ventricle (b). The superior aortic recess, part of the transverse sinus is visible posterior to the ascending aorta, visible as a hypo-intense crescent structure (black arrowhead) (d).