Intrapericardial cyst causing cardiac tamponade in a cat

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Cardiology
• Comparative Pathology
• Surgical Oncology

Background:

• Episodic dyspnea in felines can indicate serious cardiac or thoracic conditions.
• Intrapericardial cysts are rare but can lead to significant cardiovascular compromise.
• Peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernias pose risks for cardiac and hepatic structures.

Observation:

• A two-year-old cat presented with recurrent episodes of dyspnea.
• Two-dimensional echocardiography revealed an intrapericardial cyst compressing the right ventricle.
• The cyst was associated with a peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia involving a liver pedicle.

Findings:

• The intrapericardial cyst caused significant cardiac tamponade, leading to dyspnea.
• Pre-surgical centesis temporarily relieved the tamponade.
• Surgical intervention included cyst resection and diaphragmatic herniorrhaphy, confirming the hepatic origin of the cyst.

Implications:

• This case highlights the importance of advanced imaging in diagnosing rare cardiac masses in cats.
• Successful surgical management demonstrates the feasibility of treating complex peritoneopericardial abnormalities.
• Understanding the anatomical relationship between the pericardium, diaphragm, and liver is crucial for surgical planning in such cases.