Complicated pericardial cyst: atypical anatomy and clinical course

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Updated: Oct 27, 2026

An Intact Pericardium Ischemic Rodent Model
07:15

An Intact Pericardium Ischemic Rodent Model

Published on: September 2, 2021

G L Bava1, L Magliani, D Bertoli

  • 1Department of Cardiovascular Surgery and Cardiology, Gaslini Pediatric Institute, Genoa, Italy.

Clinical Cardiology
|November 24, 1998
PubMed

Insights

A rare case of pericardial cyst causing cardiac tamponade in an 8-year-old boy highlights potential complications. The cyst

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology and Pediatric Surgery
  • Medical Imaging and Diagnostics
  • Pathology and Histology

Background:

  • Pericardial cysts are typically asymptomatic, often discovered incidentally.
  • However, symptomatic presentations and severe complications like cardiac tamponade can occur.

Observation:

  • An 8-year-old boy presented with chest pain, diagnosed with a large intrapericardial cyst (7.5 x 5.5 cm) and pericardial effusion.
  • The patient's condition worsened, showing signs of cardiac tamponade, necessitating urgent surgical intervention.
  • The cyst had a mobile vascular pedicle and inflammatory changes on its surface; aspirate was serosanguineous.

Findings:

  • Histological examination confirmed a pericardial cyst with ischemia-related lesions.
  • The cyst's unique vascular pedicle and the resulting ischemia were implicated in the cardiac tamponade.

Implications:

  • This case suggests a novel pathogenetic mechanism involving vascular pedicle torsion leading to cyst ischemia and tamponade.
  • Highlights the importance of considering rare complications even with typically benign conditions.
  • Emphasizes the need for prompt evaluation and management of symptomatic pericardial cysts.

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