Clinical Features, Natural History, and Management of Pericardial Cysts

Mediastinal Enlargement in an 8-Year-Old Child: What Could Be Causing It?

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Surgical Management of Pericardial Cysts: A Single-Center Retrospective Study

Introduction Pericardial cysts (PCs) are infrequent, non-malignant, and congenital abnormalities. The identification and treatment of PCs remain a significant challenge, with limited research on surgical management. Methods We performed a retrospective study of patients with PCs who underwent surgical intervention at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from February 2002 to December 2022. Results A total of 55 patients underwent surgery due to PCs during the study period. Thirty-one were females and 24 were males. The average age of the patients was 44.7 ± 12.9 (six to 63 years old). PCs were located in the right hemithorax in 50 (90.9%) patients and left hemithorax in five (9.1%) patients. Approach methods were video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) in 43 (78.2%) cases; thoracotomy in 11 (20%) cases, and median sternotomy in one (1.8%) cases. The average postoperative hospitalization period was 5.6 days (two to 14 days). Three patients developed postoperative complications (two pleural effusion, one pneumonia), whereas no mortality was observed in any patient due to the operation. Forty-one patients (74.5%) were followed up for three months to eight years postoperatively, during which no recurrent cysts were detected. Conclusion In this single-center retrospective study, we demonstrated that pericardial cyst cure is an appropriate operation according to cyst characteristics. VATS has been shown to be highly effective and safe in patients with PCs, offering the advantage of reducing postoperative morbidity efficiently.

A Large Cyst in an Unlikely Location: The Interventricular Septum

•A large cardiac cyst was discovered in an extremely rare location: the IVS. •Pre- and postcontrast imaging is essential in the evaluation of a cystic mass. •When identifying a cardiac cyst, malignancy and infection must be considered. •The benefit of excising a cardiac cyst is unclear in an asymptomatic older patient.

Cardiac Masses Discovered by Echocardiogram; What to Do Next?

Cardiac tumors are rare conditions, typically diagnosed on autopsy, but with the advancement of imaging techniques they are now encountered more frequently in clinical practice. Echocardiography is often the initial method of investigation for cardiac masses and provides a quick and valuable springboard for their characterization. While some cardiac masses can be readily identified by echocardiography alone, several require incorporation of multiple data points to reach diagnostic certainty. Herein, we will provide an overview of the main clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic characteristics of cardiac masses within the framework of their location.

Prenatal ultrasound diagnosis of fetal giant pericardial cyst: A case report

RATIONALE

We describe 1 case of fetal giant pericardial cyst was diagnosed by fetal echocardiography in the second trimester, and the changes of the cyst were recorded by follow-up observation in the late trimester and after birth. We then review and discuss the knowledge about its diagnosis and treatment.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 34-year-old pregnant woman was referred to our hospital because of a diagnosis of a fetal pericardial effusion at 22 5/7 weeks at another hospital.

DIAGNOSIS

Fetal echocardiography revealed an irregular anechoic area in the right side of the fetal right atrium and right ventricle that was closely related to but not communicated with the pericardiumis and suggested fetal pericardial cyst. Fetal cardiothoracic magnetic resonance imaging showed cystic FIESTA signal in the right lung region, with clear boundary, and a seemingly line-like low signal shadow within.

INTERVENTIONS

Since fetal pericardial cysts keep decreasing in size during maternal pregnancy, follow-up observation measures are taken.

OUTCOMES

Fetal pericardial cysts disappear on their own 4 months after delivery.

LESSONS

Asymptomatic pericardial cysts in the fetal period can be followed up and observed, and intervention is performed only when the cyst rapidly enlarges or ruptures and becomes infected in the fetal or neonatal period. Echocardiography can be used as a first-line detection method for their initial detection and follow-up.

A large pericardial cyst mimicking a unilateral pleural effusion: A case report

RATIONALE

Pericardial cysts are a rare benign disorder with a variable clinical presentation depending on their size and location. The diagnosis of pericardial cysts is usually based on imaging examinations. The definitive treatment is surgical resection.

PATIENT CONCERN

A 36-year-old woman presented with progressive left-sided chest pain and exertional dyspnea, with symptoms resembling pleural effusion.

DIAGNOSES

The patient was diagnosed with a pericardial cyst based on imaging and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS).

INTERVENTION

VATS was performed.

OUTCOMES

The patient's symptoms improved after successful removal of the pericardial cyst. Follow-up chest computed tomography exhibited no evidence of recurrence.

LESSONS

Clinicians should include pericardial cysts in the differential diagnosis of pseudopleural effusion. VATS is a feasible and safe method to treat symptomatic and large pericardial cysts.

MRI-Based Stepwise Approach to Anterior Mediastinal Cystic Lesions for Diagnosis and Further Management

As the majority of incidentally detected lesions in the anterior mediastinum is small nodules with soft tissue appearance, the differential diagnosis has typically included thymic neoplasm and prevascular lymph node, with benign cyst. Overestimation or misinterpretation of these lesions can lead to unnecessary surgery for ultimately benign conditions. nonsurgical anterior mediastinal lesions. The pitfalls of MRI evaluation for anterior mediastinal cystic lesions are as follows: first, we acknowledge the limitation of T2-weighted images for evaluating benign cystic lesions. Due to variable contents within benign cystic lesions, such as hemorrhage, T2 signal intensity may be variable. Second, owing to extensive necrosis and cystic changes, the T2 shine-through effect may be seen on diffusion-weighted images (DWI), and small solid portions might be missed on enhanced images. Therefore, both enhancement and DWI with apparent diffusion coefficient values should be considered. An algorithm will be suggested for the diagnostic evaluation of anterior mediastinal cystic lesions, and finally, a management strategy based on MRI features will be suggested.

A Case of an Inflamed Pericardial Cyst As the Cause of Acute Onset Chest Pain in a Young Patient and Review of the Literature

Among the extensive variety of disorders that can cause chest pain are the complicated pericardial cysts, pathological entities that otherwise are asymptomatic. Here, we describe a 34-year-old male patient with a symptomatic pericardial cyst presenting at the emergency department with acute chest pain that woke him up about six hours prior to presentation. The work up for his acute chest pain revealed a well-defined, fluid-filled, rounded mass next to the pericardium on the right cardiophrenic angle and increased acute phase reactants. The cyst was surgically removed and the biopsy showed signs of intense inflammatory infiltration with negative culture of the fluid. The patient received intravenous antibiotics for two weeks with complete resolution of the symptoms and remained asymptomatic for about two months after surgical excision. Among other symptoms that may be induced from the presence of a pericardial cyst, the acute onset of chest pain, in this otherwise benign condition, probably indicates the existence of a complication such as rupture, inflammation, or hemorrhage. Careful exclusion of other etiologies of chest pain is mandatory as the surgical excision of a complicated pericardial cyst remains the only therapeutic option. 

Review of pericardial disease on computed tomography

Echocardiography has long been the mainstay in the evaluation of cardiac and pericardial disease. As computed tomography (CT) has advanced, it has become a valuable partner in the imaging of the pericardium. The advantages of CT include a larger field of view, multiplanar reconstruction and increased discrimination between various soft tissues and fluids. CT is less operator dependent and can more easily, and reproducibly, image areas of the pericardium for which echocardiography has poor windows such as the right pericardium. The introduction of EKG gating has decreased cardiac motion artifact and can allow functional evaluation although echocardiography remains the primary source of real-time imaging of cardiac and valve motion. It is essential for the skilled cardiac imager to understand the strengths and weaknesses of CT and its role in the definition and assessment of pericardial disease.

A Clinico-Pathologic Approach to the Differential Diagnosis of Pericardial Tumors

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Tumors of the pericardium are rare, but a wide variety of congenital, infectious, inflammatory, and neoplastic processes have been reported. Pericardial tumors can be categorized as non-neoplastic or neoplastic. Neoplastic lesions can be further divided into benign or malignant, with malignancies being either primary or secondary (metastatic). Clinical, radiographic, and pathologic features of the most common entities are discussed.

RECENT FINDINGS

Metastatic neoplasms involving the heart and pericardium are far more common than primary pericardial neoplasms. Of primary pericardial malignancies, mesothelioma is the most common; notably, cytology of effusion fluid is relatively insensitive to the diagnosis. The prognosis for most malignancies of the pericardium, primary or secondary, is poor. Increasingly, clinically recognized diseases that involve the pericardium include Erdheim-Chester and IgG4-related disease. This article provides a comprehensive review of the most recent literature to develop a structured framework to the differential diagnosis of pericardial tumors.

Pericardial pseudocyst along atrioventricular groove

Cystic lesions in relation to the pericardium are a rare congenital lesion with an estimated incidence of 1 per 100,,000. Pericardial cysts may be classified as congenital or acquired. Here, we present a case of a pericardial pseudocyst having a horseshoe configuration along the atrioventricular groove in a middle-aged subject with no previous relevant medical history. The patient underwent open surgery for the same with histopathological diagnosis being established. This paper highlights the differentials for a cystic pericardial lesion in imaging in addition to the histopathological entity of a pericardial pseudocyst.

Benign lesions of the mediastinum: A review with emphasis on cytology and small biopsy specimens

This review focuses on the diagnosis of select benign processes, ranging from reactive entities to heterotopic tissues to neoplasms, which may occur in the mediastinum. Currently, the mediastinum can be evaluated and biopsied with endoscopic procedures. Therefore, cytopathology specimens, fine needle aspirations, and small biopsies play an important role in the diagnosis of these lesions. In this review, an emphasis is given to relevant clinical presentations, histologic and cytologic findings, differential diagnoses, ancillary testing, and interpretation. Pitfalls are reviewed and discussed in each section. It is important for both surgical pathologists and cytopathologists to be familiar with these entities and their cytologic and histologic features that may be helpful in reaching a diagnosis.

Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Treatment of Coelomic Cysts

Background: Coelomic cysts are uncommon benign cyctic lesions of the mediastinum. Complete resection of the cyst with surgical treatment is indicated depending on whether the patient is symptomatic or whether the cyst grows during follow-up, or whether the diagnosis is uncertain. Surgical treatment prevents complications, relieves symptoms, and establishes diagnosis. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is the best method for excision of these cysts. This approach is safe and effective, has low morbidity, and shortens the length of hospital stay Objectives: We aimed to analyze our experience with coelomic cysts through VATS, reviewing clinical, radiological, and pathological features, early and long-term results of surgical management. Patients and Methods: Between January 2011 and December 2018, 20 patients with coelomic cysts who underwent VATS at our clinic were included in the study. Results: The study included 11 female and 9 male patients with a mean age of 45.6 years. Symptoms were present in 17 patients and 3 were asymptomatic. The average cyst diameter was 5.4 cm (range 2-8 cm). Fourteen of them were right sided, the others were left sided. There were no operative mortality and complications. Postoperatively there were no complications, in all cases course was uneventful, all of them were discharged after a mean of 3 days (range 2-6 days). Conclusions: Considering the low complication rate and hospital stay, excision of coelomic cysts through VATS is extremely safe and comfortable, so it should be considered the primary therapeutic procedure.

Pericardial Cysts: a Contemporary Comprehensive Review

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This is an in-depth review on the etiology, clinical manifestation, differential diagnosis, diagnostic modalities, complications, and management of pericardial cysts (PCs).

RECENT FINDINGS

PCs are the third most common type of mediastinal masses and are usually identified incidentally by chest x-ray (CXR) or transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). Although most PCs are asymptomatic, they might lead to serious complications such as cardiac tamponade. Diagnosis is confirmed by cardiac computed tomography or cardiac magnetic resonance. Cysts need to be followed by imaging every 1 to 2 years; however, a recent report suggested less frequent follow-up. Most cases resolve spontaneously, but if needed, aspiration or surgical resection can be done. PCs are rare entities and are usually detected incidentally after CXR or TTE. Providers should be aware of this condition since it could potentially lead to serious complications.