Benign masses in the pericardium of two dogs

Two miniature Schnauzer dogs were treated for pericardial masses. In one do g the mass consisted of necrotic fat that was attached to the apex of the p ericardium by a pedicle. No obvious communication with the abdomen was pres ent. The second dog had a peritoneopericardial hernia associated with a chr onic cystic haematoma. In each case the mass was presumed to have arisen fo llowing congenital displacement of the omentum into the pericardium. The pe ricardial mass was removed and subtotal pericardectomy performed in both do gs. Recovery was complete in each case.