VIDEO-ASSISTED SURGERY FOR PLEURO-PERICAR DIC CYSTS

Three cases of symptomatic pleuro-pericardic cysts were treated with v ideo-assisted surgery. Complete exeresis of the cysts was possible in all cases. The follow-up was uneventful and hospitalization was 4 to 5 days. Pleuro-pericardic cysts represent 5 to 10 % of the mediastinal tumours. Clinical latency and a constantly benign course are character istic features. In most cases, tomodensitometry confirms the diagnosis . The diagnosis may be uncertain only in symptomatic forms (atypical l ocalization, high density on tomodensitometry). In these cases, video- assisted surgery is an interesting alternative to transparietal puncti on-evacuation or to exeresis via thoracotomy.