Mid-Trimester Prenatal Sonographic Diagnosis of a Pericardial Cyst

Abstract

Prenatal diagnosis of pericardial masses are infrequent and usually consist of intrapericardial teratomas or haemangiomas. We present the first report of prenatal diagnosis of a suspected pericardial cyst at 14 weeks' gestation which was subsequently confirmed by neonatal computed tomography.

The ultrasound appearance of an unusual fetal pericardial cyst

“…The prenatally diagnosed pericardial cysts reported to date were located adjacent to the heart borders and not typically in the posterior mediastinum. 1,[5][6][7] Three resolved prior to birth, 1 and two did not change in size. 5,6 One presented with tachycardia that resolved after birth.…”

“…1,[5][6][7] Three resolved prior to birth, 1 and two did not change in size. 5,6 One presented with tachycardia that resolved after birth. 6 Ultimately, cases reported with outcomes demonstrated that neonates were asymptomatic and required no treatment in the newborn period.…”

Pericardial cyst in a child treated with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery

“…If symptoms occur, they tend to be caused by compression of the mass, including chest pain, atelectasis, epigastric fullness, partial airway obstruction, asthma, and venous obstruction [8]. Recently a prenatal sonographic diagnosis of a pericardial cyst was reported [4]. As a result, the above described age distribution of the detection of this disease is therefore expected to change in the near future.…”

“…Because they can be found anywhere contiguous with the pericardium [3], they have to be distinguished from other mediastinal masses including cystic hygromas, teratomas, lymphomas, thymomas, haemangiomas, bronchogenic cysts, ventricular aneurysms, pericardial fat pads, congenital diaphragmatic hernias, hiatal hernias, and extralobar pulmonary sequestration [2,4]. For an accurate diagnosis, echocardiography, CT and MRI are equally useful in children as well as in adults [1,6].…”

Etiology and outcome of prenatally detected paracardial cystic lesions: a case series and review of the literature

“…Paracardial cysts, defined as cystic lesions that are adjacent to or originate from the heart, have been an exceedingly rare prenatal diagnosis1–8. More often, these cysts are incidental findings after birth on chest radiography, cardiac ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computerized tomography (CT).…”