pericardial cyst

Pericardial cysts are uncommon benign congenital anomalies of the anterior and middle mediastinum.

Clinical presentation

Usually asymptomatic and discovered incidentally although occasionally may present with chest pain and dyspnea.

Pathology

They are thought to often result from aberrations in the formation of celomic cavities. They can occur as sequelae of previous pericarditis. The cyst wall is composed of connective tissue and a single layer of mesothelial cells, and usually contains clear fluid.

Location

They are most commonly found on the right side, in particular the right anterior cardiophrenic angle, but can be found almost anywhere adjacent to the heart.

Variants

Radiographic features

Plain radiograph

Typically seen as a mass-like density at the cardiophrenic sulcus. They can be of different shapes and are not always round. May change in shape and size with inspiration and position.

CT

Usually appears as a well-defined, non-enhancing, fluid-attenuation, rounded mass next to the pericardium.

MRI

Morphology again can be variable. Internal septations may be present. Signal characteristics are those of fluid and include :

  • T1: typically low signal (occasionally can be high signal if contains proteinaceous material)
  • T2: high signal
  • T1 C+ (Gd): no enhancement

Treatment and prognosis

They are benign lesions. Surgical resection or aspiration may be performed for symptomatic selected cases.

Differential diagnosis

As general differential on cross-sectional imaging

On a chest radiograph also consider:

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