Cysts of the mediastinum and pericardium

Classification of mediastinal and pericardial cysts

Mediastinal cysts and pericardial cysts are classified by location and origin.

By origin, cysts are divided into congenital and acquired.

Cysts are classified into: pericardial cysts, enterogenic, bronchogenic, teratomas or teratogenic cysts, thymus cysts.

Causes of mediastinal and pericardial cysts

Most mediastinal cysts are congenital. They are laid in the perinatal period, therefore, there are no factors predisposing to their occurrence.

The causes of acquired cysts include: the initial stages of tumor neoplasms, inflammatory processes in the mediastinum.

Symptoms and signs of mediastinal and pericardial cysts

For a long time, cysts may not show any external symptoms and remain unnoticed by the patient. The appearance of the first symptoms usually indicates the growth of a cyst, which puts a strain on neighboring organs. These symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain, cough during exercise, and palpitations.

If a person is concerned about such symptoms, you need to consult a doctor and rule out the presence of a neoplasm in the mediastinum.

Diagnosis of mediastinal and pericardial cysts

Mediastinal cysts are difficult to diagnose because the mediastinum on a conventional radiograph has a fairly dense structure and is defined as a darkening in the background. For this reason, it can be difficult to accurately identify a cyst. If the doctor assumes the presence of a cyst after the X-ray, a CT scan is always performed to make an accurate diagnosis. It is possible to establish the genesis of the cyst, i.e. to identify which tissues it consists of (pericardial tissue, respiratory or digestive tract tissue), only after surgical intervention.

Treatment of mediastinal and pericardial cysts at the EMC clinic

A cyst is an indication for surgery, regardless of the size and location of the neoplasm. Removal of the mediastinal cyst should be carried out as radically as possible in order to eliminate the risk of recurrence, primarily if cyst suppuration has been observed. The operation is the excision of a cyst within healthy tissues. Removal of a pericardial cyst on the heart is carried out according to the same principle.

Treatment of mediastinal cysts in Moscow is carried out at EMC on the basis of a multifunctional round-the-clock hospital. The European Medical Center employs leading doctors from Russia, the USA and Western European countries. The treatment is carried out in accordance with international protocols with proven effectiveness.