2026, Number 3
Cir Card Mex 2026; 11 (3)
Large pericardial cyst mimicking a unilateral pleural effusion: a case report
Ortiz-Betance, Gloria T; Saldivar-Landeros, Aylin; Arreola-Solís, Pedro S
ABSTRACT
Pericardial cysts are rare and usually asymptomatic. We present the case of a 65-year-old woman with progressive dyspnea and an apparent massive left pleural effusion. After unsuccessful thoracenteses, chest CT revealed a large pericardial cyst measuring 20 × 20 cm. Video-assisted thoracoscopic drainage and unroofing were performed, the presence of a benign serous cyst was confirmed by pathology. This case highlights the diagnostic challenge and the importance of advanced imaging in atypical mediastinal masses.