Intrapericardial bronchogenic cyst extirpated through median sternotomy: a case report

Bronchogenic cyst sometimes occurs in the mediastinum and rarely in the intrapericardial space. When located in the intrapericardial space, the main vessels or the heart can be compressed. In addition, if it is difficult to deny malignancy or malignancy transformation potential using any modality, surgical resection should be performed.

The patient was a 21-year-old woman with persistent symptoms similar to a cold. Enhanced computed tomography confirmed a 51 × 36 × 35-mm intrapericardial cystic structure with partial calcification. The lesion was large enough to compress and interfere with the venous return of the superior vena cava. Thrombus formation was suspected upstream of the compression site. We performed utter extirpation through median sternotomy. A histopathological examination of the surgical specimen revealed a bronchogenic cyst. The postoperative course was uneventful, and she was discharged on postoperative day 9.

We experienced a case of total extirpation of an intrapericardial bronchogenic cyst complicated with compression of the superior vena cava. Long-term follow-up will be necessary.