A Mediastinal Lesion Rarely Seen in Childhood: Pericardial Cyst

Pericardial cysts are smooth-walled congenital benign cysts which are unilocular with an external wall comprised of mesothelial or endothelial cells. They account for 6-7% of all mediastinal lesions. They are usually found in the costophrenic angle. Although they are generally asymptomatic, up to 20% of the patients may have nonspecific symptoms. PA chest x-ray, echocardiography and CT are the most commonly used diagnostic methods. Diffusion-weighted MRI has also been suggested. Surgical excision is at the forefront in treatment, being performed with low morbidity and mortality rates. In cases for which a surgery cannot be performed, complications such as hemorrhage, spontaneous rupture of the cyst or infected cyst may develop.