Idiopathic Pericardial Cyst

Clinical Image

Ann Hematol Oncol. 2015;2(3): 1026.

Idiopathic Pericardial Cyst

Calin S1, Sepesi B2, Swisher S3, Yusuf S.W4 and Ferrajoli A5*

1Department of Hematopathology, USA

2Department, Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery, USA

3Department, Surgery, USA

4Department of Surgery, USA

5Cardiology and Leukemia, USA

*Corresponding author: Ferrajoli A, Department of Leukemia, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, USA

Received: December 08, 2014; Accepted: January 27, 2015; Published: January 29, 2015

Clinical Image

Patient is a 52 years old man referred for treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. At time of referral a routine chest radiograph showed a mass projected over the right lower chest. Computerized tomography images were obtained that demonstrated a pericardial cyst measuring 10.9 cm in the largest diameter with some compressive atelectasis of the right middle lobe (Figure A). The patient had no complains of chest pain, shortness of breath or cough. An ultrasoundguided needle aspiration yielded the diagnosis of idiopathic pericardial cyst based on fluid characteristics (transudate, with no evidence of malignant cells, acid fast bacilli, fungi or anaerobic organisms). Four years later, the patient developed recurrent episodes of retro-sternal discomfort. A surgical intervention was performed and a 13.5 cm pericardial cyst was removed by median sternotomy (Figure B, C) with resolution of the patient symptoms. Pericardial cysts are rare (1 per 100,000 individuals) congenital abnormalities.