Pericardial tumor and pregnancy – a case report study

Abstract

Primary benign and malign pericardial ind heart tumors are very rare (0.002-0.03%). Benign tumors of heart and pericardium are more frequent (myxoma, rhabdomyoma, lipoma, and papillary fibroelastoma of endocardium: 70% of all primary tumors). Because of low frequency, clinicians rarely and hardly diagnose these types of tumors. The affected patients wander from one healthcare center to another, usually with misleading diagnosis, such as cardiomyopathy or mitral stenosis. Pericardial and cardiac tumors cause pressure to surrounding structures. Because of the specific anatomy and function, all heart tumors are "malign by localization". Presence of benign pericardial tumor leads to pericardial effusion, fibrinohemorrhagic pericarditis, and cardiac tamponade. In the present study, the authors report a case of a female patient with pericardial cyst which was diagnosed during the second trimester of pregnancy. After undergoing multiple diagnostic procedures in short time period, the authors had accurate set of definitive diagnosis. The patient had successful surgical treatment and the pregnancy was continued until term without any fetal consequences.