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Published on: November 10, 2023
Pericardial cyst: an unexpected diagnosis in a patient presenting with breathlessness
Henry Hl Wu1, Omar Elboraey2, Joseph Zacharias3
1NIHR Academic Clinical Fellow Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL.
Abstract:
Pericardial cyst is a rare diagnosis, mainly considered a congenital condition. Most patients with pericardial cysts present without symptoms. Symptomatic presentation often relates to the size and location of the pericardial cyst. We report a case of a 49-year-old man who presented with subacute breathlessness in which the diagnosis of a pericardial cyst was made following various investigations - from transthoracic echocardiography and computed tomography scan to video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery biopsy, upon which a histological diagnosis was made. This case report reviews and discusses the available literature on the epidemiology and potential presenting features of a pericardial cyst, and the current recommended assessment and management strategies thereof. This case highlights the importance of effective multidisciplinary communication and joint input towards clinical decision-making, particularly in complex scenarios, to achieve optimal patient outcomes.
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