Migrating Pericardial Cyst Mimicking a Pleural Pseudotumor
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 18, 2025

Implantation and Monitoring by PET/CT of an Orthotopic Model of Human Pleural Mesothelioma in Athymic Mice
Published on: December 21, 2019
Christine J Ha1, Pierre D Maldjian1
1Department of Radiology, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, United States.
Abstract:
We discuss an atypical presentation of a pericardial cyst appearing as a mobile lesion extending into and out of the right pulmonary major fissure. With the patient in the supine position, the cyst mimicked a pleural pseudotumor along the right oblique fissure. In the left lateral decubitus position, the cyst migrated to the right cardiophrenic angle and assumed an appearance more characteristic of a pericardial cyst. At surgery, a stalk was discovered attaching the cyst to the pericardium explaining its migrating nature. We conclude that computed tomography scanning in the decubitus position is useful for differentiating a mobile pericardial cyst from a pleural pseudotumor.
Related Concept Videos
Pericarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests
Pericarditis I: Introduction
Pericarditis III: Medical Management
Pleural Effusion I: Introduction
There are two main types of pleural effusion: transudative and exudative. They are differentiated using Light's...
Pleura of the Lungs
Pleural Disorders: Types and Brief Description

