PLEUROPERICARDIAL CYSTS - TREATMENT BY VIDEOTHORACOSCOPY

Four cases of pleuropericardial cyst (three symptomatic, one in an unu sual location) were treated by videothoracoscopy. Complete resection o f the cyst was possible in all casts. The postoperative course was une ventful and patients were discharged on the 4th or 5th day. Pleuroperi cardial cysts account for 5 to 10% of all mediastinal tumors. Clinical latency and a benign course are characteristic features. In most case s, computed tomography (CT) confirms the diagnosis. When the cyst is s ymptomatic or the diagnosis is in doubt (atypical location, high densi ty on CT scans), videothoracoscopy offers an alternative to transpleur al puncture with evacuation or excision via thoracotomy.