Pericarditis in a Child with an Intrapericardial Bronchogenic Cyst

Background An intrapericardial bronchogenic cyst (IBC) is a rare congenital malformation seemingly asymptomatic in most subjects. Case Description A 9-year-old boy presented with persistent chest pain and fever. Imaging revealed a large pericardial effusion with a tumor located at the left atrial appendage extending behind the great vessels. Mass rupture with scattered mucoid debris was found intra-operatively. The tumor was excised and the IBC was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. A postcardiotomy syndrome occurred four weeks post-operative. It was treated conservatively. Since then, follow-up visits have remained uneventful. Conclusion IBCs are a scarce, but serious cause of persistent inflammation in children.