Korean J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg.  2018 Feb;51(1):72-75. 10.5090/kjtcs.2018.51.1.72.

Spontaneous Disappearance of a Pericardial Cyst: Case Report and Literature Review

• Moffa AP
• Stoppino L
• Loizzi D
• Milillo P

• KMID: 2409718
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5090/kjtcs.2018.51.1.72

Abstract

Pericardial cysts are rare benign anomalies generally discovered as incidental findings on radiographic images. Rarely, pericardial cysts cause symptoms and may lead to complications. A 56-year-old woman presented to the emergency department for mild chest pain. A cardiovascular and respiratory examination revealed no abnormalities, while a chest X-ray and subsequent thoracic computed tomography (CT) showed a pericardial cyst. The patient refused both percutaneous treatment and thoracic surgery. Three years later, a thoracic CT scan showed that the pericardial cyst had disappeared. Although the spontaneous resolution of these lesions is rare, this article highlights the possibility of conservative management in select cases.

Keyword

Pericardium; Cysts; Computed tomography; Imaging; Mediastinal disease

MeSH Terms

Chest Pain
Emergency Service, Hospital
Female
Humans
Incidental Findings
Mediastinal Cyst*
Mediastinal Diseases
Middle Aged
Pericardium
Thoracic Surgery
Thorax
Tomography, X-Ray Computed