Fact-sheet: Pericardial cyst
Updated on 04/21/2016 at 11:29 PM
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Definition
Rare, 7% of mediastinal cystic tumors.
Unilocular, clear water-like fluid
CT
In contact with but without communication with the pericardium.
More often located in the anterior mediastinum (cardiophrenic angles) (70%).
More often right-sided (70%).
Rarely complicated
Differential diagnosis
Bronchogenic cyst: infant/child, leading cause of mediastinal cyst, 70% of cases in the middle mediastinum: paratracheal, subcarinal, or even parenchymal. Neuroenteric cyst. Cystic lymphangioma: rare congenital vascular hamartoma, 1-2% of mediastinal cystic tumors, generally asymptomatic but may be complicated by hemorrhage, superinfection, and chylothorax. Molds surrounding structures without displacing them. MRI: multiple loculations, hyperintense on T2, variable T1 signal. Esophagus duplication: posterior mediastinal, adherent to the esophagus. Abscess: amebic, pyogenic, etc.