Mediastinum
Cystic lesions
Pericardial cyst
Author: Hanni Gulwani, M.B.B.S.
Last author update: 1 December 2012
Last staff update: 19 September 2023
Copyright: 2003-2024, PathologyOutlines.com, Inc.
PubMed Search: Pericardial cyst mediastinum
Table of Contents
Definition / general | Clinical features | Radiology description | Case reports | Gross description | Microscopic (histologic) description | Positive stainsCite this page: Gulwani H. Pericardial cyst. PathologyOutlines.com website. https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/mediastinumpericardialcyst.html. Accessed April 19th, 2024.
Definition / general
- Usually at right cardiophrenic angle, adherent to pericardium and diaphragm; may communicate with pericardial cavity
- Due to failure of one of multiple disconnected lacunae to merge with the others
Clinical features
- Usually asymptomatic patients of all ages anywhere in mediastinum; rarely associated with dyspnea or chest pain
Radiology description
- Xray: irregular, adjacent to cardiac contour
Case reports
- 30 year old man with large cyst and pericarditis (Ann Thorac Surg 2009;88:e11)
Gross description
- Thin fibrous wall, unilocular, collapses when opened, smooth cyst lining, serous fluid contents
Microscopic (histologic) description
- Fibrous tissue lined by bland mesothelium, rarely with papillary hyperplasia, no cholesterol granulomas, no smooth muscle, no cartilage, no specialized epithelium
Positive stains
