Complicated Pericardial Cyst: A Case Report

Abstract

Pericardial cysts are uncommon, most commonly located at the cardiophrenic angle or, rarely, in the posterior or anterior superior mediastinum. They usually do not cause symptoms and are found incidentally. Symptomatic pericardial cysts present with dyspnea, chest pain, or persistent cough. Chest X-ray, echocardiography, and chest computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging are useful diagnostic tools. CT scan is considered as best modality for diagnosis and delineation of the surrounding anatomy. Pericardial cysts are usually benign but complications may arise eventually in case of compression of the structures adjacent to the heart, inflammation, haemorrhage or rupture of the cyst. Compression of the right sided cardiac chambers may result in elevated venous pressures with engorged superficial veins of the upper and lower extremities, ascites, hepatomegally and may result in right sided heart failure. We describe a patients with complicated pericardial cysts causing severe compression effects of the right side of the heart, who was treated with thoracotomy.