Chronic pericarditis secondary to pericardial lymphangioma. An unusual presentation of an unusual tumor: case report.

Abstract

Pericardial lymphangiomas are exceptionally rare and affect both children and adults. Although they are usually asymptomatic, they can cause symptoms secondary to the mass effect, from syncope or palpitations to arrhythmia or congestive heart failure. The most reliable diagnostic methods are echocardiography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging, with subsequent confirmation by histopathology. Its treatment consists of complete surgical resection. We present the case of a 2-year-old female patient with a definitive diagnosis of pericardial lymphangioma who debuted with cardiac tamponade and hemodynamic repercussions. She underwent a pleuropericardial window by lateral thoracotomy with resection of nodular masses at the posterior level of the pericardium without complications. The patient's evolution and prognosis were favorable.