# Epipericardial Fat Necrosis in COVID‐19—A Case Report

**Authors:** Klaric Ivana, Zovko Tanja, Goluza Gordana, Pavlovic Katica, Berberovic Marina, Pravdic Nikolina, Goluza Sesar Marija

PMC · DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.72179 · Clinical Case Reports · 2026-02-26

## TL;DR

This case report describes a rare condition called epipericardial fat necrosis in a patient with COVID-19, emphasizing the need to recognize it to avoid unnecessary treatments.

## Contribution

The novelty lies in presenting a clinical case linking EFN with COVID-19 and highlighting diagnostic considerations.

## Key findings

- Epipericardial fat necrosis was identified in a patient with COVID-19.
- EFN can mimic severe cardiac conditions, leading to potential misdiagnosis.
- Recognizing EFN is crucial to avoid unnecessary interventions.

## Abstract

Epipericardial fat necrosis (EFN) is a rare but benign cause of acute chest pain that can mimic life‐threatening conditions such as myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolism, and aortic dissection. This case highlights the importance of recognizing EFN to prevent unnecessary interventions.

## Linked entities

- **Diseases:** COVID-19 (MONDO:0100096), myocardial infarction (MONDO:0005068), pulmonary embolism (MONDO:0005279)

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** TNNI3 (troponin I3, cardiac type) [NCBI Gene 7137] {aka CMD1FF, CMD2A, CMH7, RCM1, TNNC1, cTnI}, GGT1 (gamma-glutamyltransferase 1) [NCBI Gene 2678] {aka CD224, D22S672, D22S732, GGT, GGT 1, GGTD}, ACE2 (angiotensin converting enzyme 2) [NCBI Gene 59272] {aka ACEH}, GPT (glutamic--pyruvic transaminase) [NCBI Gene 2875] {aka AAT1, ALT, ALT1, GPT1, SGPT}, GGTLC5P (gamma-glutamyltransferase light chain 5 pseudogene) [NCBI Gene 653590] {aka GGT}, IL6 (interleukin 6) [NCBI Gene 3569] {aka BSF-2, BSF2, CDF, HGF, HSF, IFN-beta-2}, CRP (C-reactive protein) [NCBI Gene 1401] {aka PTX1}, TNF (tumor necrosis factor) [NCBI Gene 7124] {aka DIF, IMD127, TNF-alpha, TNFA, TNFSF2, TNLG1F}, SLC17A5 (solute carrier family 17 member 5) [NCBI Gene 26503] {aka AST, ISSD, NSD, SD, SIALIN, SIASD}
- **Diseases:** fat (MESH:D004620), hereditary diseases (MESH:D030342), fever (MESH:D005334), pulmonary embolism (MESH:D011655), Necrosis (MESH:D009336), pericardial effusion (MESH:D010490), difficulty (MESH:D051346), inflammatory cytokines (MESH:D000080424), lymphadenopathy (MESH:D008206), EFN (MESH:D005218), pleural effusion (MESH:D010996), chest pain (MESH:D002637), diaphragmatic hernia (MESH:D006548), confusion (MESH:D003221), anterior mediastinal lesion (MESH:D008477), Tuberculosis (MESH:D014376), nodular goiter (MESH:D006044), myocardial infarction (MESH:D009203), infection (MESH:D007239), fatty lesion (MESH:D065626), lung cancer (MESH:D008175), dyspnea (MESH:D004417), aortic dissection (MESH:D000784), COVID infection (MESH:D000086382), Pulmonary Diseases (MESH:D008171), benign tumors (MESH:D009369), cough (MESH:D003371), gastroesophageal reflux disease (MESH:D005764), acute pericarditis (MESH:D010493), lipoma (MESH:D008067), atelectasis (MESH:D001261), inflammation (MESH:D007249), hamartoma (MESH:D006222), pain (MESH:D010146), liposarcoma (MESH:D008080), respiratory illness (MESH:D012140), colon cancer (MESH:D015179), coronavirus disease (MESH:D018352)
- **Chemicals:** fatty acid (MESH:D005227), ibuprofen (MESH:D007052), oxygen (MESH:D010100)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Full text

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## Figures

8 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12945698/full.md

## References

25 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12945698/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12945698