Cardiomegaly must be distinguished from pseudo-cardiomegaly, a scenario in which the apparent size of the heart is artificially increased. Disorders and conditions which falsely increase the apparent size of the heart include straight back syndrome, a disorder in which the heart is "pancaked" or compressed; and obtaining the chest x-ray during expiration at which time the diameter of the lungs is decreased and the relative diameter of the heart and aorta is increased.
Cardiomegaly differential diagnosis
Pericardial effusion differential diagnosis
Pulmonary edema differential diagnosis
Cardiomegaly other diagnostic studies
Chest pain differential diagnosis
Constrictive pericarditis differential diagnosis
Endocarditis differential diagnosis
Tracheitis differential diagnosis