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Published on: November 4, 2015
Giant Calcified Pericardial Cyst With Caseous Degeneration Causing Right Ventricular Compression
Yasuhiko Kawaguchi1, Badr Arbaein2, Raffael Pereira Cezar Zamper2
1Division of Cardiac Surgery, London Health Science Centre, Western University, London, Ontario, N5X 5A5, Canada.
Abstract:
Calcified pericardial cysts are exceedingly rare, and cysts containing caseous material are scarcely reported. We describe a giant calcified pericardial cyst causing right ventricular compression and heart failure symptoms. Imaging demonstrated a large calcified pericardial mass abutting the right ventricle and atrioventricular groove. Surgical resection via median sternotomy with anterior pericardiectomy was performed. Intraoperatively, thick caseous material was found within a heavily calcified cyst wall. Histopathology revealed a fibrous cyst wall without epithelial lining and no evidence of malignancy or granulomatous inflammation. Post-resection transoesophageal echocardiography confirmed relief of right ventricular compression with preserved function. This case highlights diagnostic challenges and surgical considerations of complex calcified pericardial cysts with atypical intracystic contents.
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