In a patient with a clinical diagnosis of pericarditis, what may not present on an echocardiogram?

In the context of a patient diagnosed with pericarditis, pericardial effusion is often present as a result of inflammation of the pericardial sac, but it may not always be visible on echocardiography. This is especially true in cases where the effusion is small or when there is an acute presentation of pericarditis without significant fluid accumulation. Echocardiograms can effectively visualize effusions; however, if the volume is minimal, it may not be detected, making the absence of pericardial effusion a possibility.

On the other hand, left untreated or in more advanced cases, pericarditis can lead to complications such as myocardial thickening due to inflammation, which is visible on an echocardiogram. Valve regurgitation may occur as a secondary manifestation, potentially due to changes in the hemodynamics related to the affected pericardium. Chamber dilation could also be observed, particularly if there is significant strain due to changes in heart function or fluid accumulation over time. Thus, while pericardial effusion is commonly associated with pericarditis, it is not a guaranteed finding on every echocardiogram performed on such patients.