A 56-year-old man underwent orthotopic heart transplantation (Htx) for dilative cardiomyopathy. The postoperative course was uneventful despite the appearance of pericardial effusions during the first 6 months, which required repeated drainage therapy. Six months postoperatively a pericardial window was created using a thoracoscopic approach via the right pleural cavity. The course after this i...

Pericardial cysts are rare benign lesions of the thoracic cavity and are mostly congenital anomalies. They are induced by an incomplete coalescence of foetal lacunae during the development of the pericardium. Pericardial cysts are usually unilocular, well marginated spherical or teardrop shaped and may be attached to the pericardium directly or by a pedicle. Of all pericardial cysts, 70 to 75% ...

The origin and course of coronary vessels: embryological considerations I HAVE READ WITH GREAT INTEREST THE REPORT of Ho et al. 1 on an unusual course of a coronary artery arising from the pulmonary trunk. This is interesting not only because of the fascinating course of the distal main stem of the anomalous artery through the musculature of the left atrial wall, but especially because of its f...

A Laparoscopic means of treating malignant pericardial effusion is implemented and compared with other approaches for management of this condition. Laparoscopic pericardial fenestration was performed in a 68 year old man with bronchogenic carcinoma and recurrent pericardial effusion. . The procedure tool 45 minutes and no complications were observed. We feel that laparoscopic transdiaphragmatic...

Primary chylopericardium is an extremely rare disease. This report presents two cases of this disease, in a 47-year-old man and 21 -year-old woman. Both cases were given diagnosis of primary chylopericardium by chylous pericardial fluid examination and lymphangio-scintigraphy which demonstrated abnormal communication between the left thoracic duct and the pericardial cavity.

Central venous catheterization is associated with a large number of complications, such as pneumothorax, hydrothorax, hemothorax, phlebothrombosis, pericardial tamponade, air embolism, aberrant placement and line sepsis. There are many case reports of the extravasation of various central venous catheter fluids, including the intravenous fluids, total parenteral nutrition and chemotherapeutic ag...

A 71-year-old female with lung adenocarcinoma underwent surveillance PET/CT, which revealed new central necrotic cavitation of a preexisting left lower lobe mass, with communication between this air-filled cavity and the left mainstem bronchus, as well as pericardial effusion with large pneumopericardium, consistent with malignant bronchopericardial fistula (Fig. 1). Echocardiography and physic...