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Pericardial cyst with partial erosion of the right ventricular wall

P S Chopra1, D J Duke, J R Pellett

  • 1Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, Madison.

The Annals of Thoracic Surgery
|May 1, 1991
PubMed

Insights

This case report highlights a rare pericardial cyst eroding into the right ventricle, necessitating cardiopulmonary bypass for surgical removal. Surgeons should consider bypass for infected cysts with unclear margins on imaging.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Thoracic Surgery
  • Surgical Pathology

Background:

  • Pericardial cysts are rare benign tumors, typically asymptomatic.
  • Erosion into cardiac structures is an uncommon complication.
  • Surgical excision is the standard treatment for symptomatic or large cysts.

Observation:

  • A case of a pericardial cyst with partial erosion into the anterior wall of the right ventricle was observed.
  • The patient presented with signs and symptoms suggestive of infection.
  • Preoperative imaging did not clearly delineate the cyst margins from cardiac structures.

Findings:

  • Cardiopulmonary bypass was required for the successful excision of the pericardial cyst.
  • The complexity of the cyst's adherence and potential infection necessitated advanced surgical support.
  • This case underscores the variability in presentation and surgical management of pericardial cysts.

Implications:

  • Surgeons must be prepared for potential intraoperative complications, including the need for cardiopulmonary bypass, during pericardial cyst excision.
  • Preoperative imaging is crucial but may not always predict the surgical difficulty, especially in cases with suspected infection or indistinct margins.
  • This case contributes to the understanding of rare pericardial cyst complications and informs surgical planning.

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