[Pericardial cysts. Report on 9 treated cases].

From 1976 to 1993, nine patients (5 men, 4 women) with pericardial cysts were treated in Authors' Department. Of the nine cysts, six were located in the right cardiophrenic angle, one in the subcarinal site, one in the right tracheobronchial angle, and one in the para-auricular site just above the diaphragm. Four patients were asymptomatic. A correct diagnosis was possible preoperatively only in patients with cysts typically located in the cardiophrenic angle. Eight patients were surgically treated by a standard posterolateral or axillary thoracotomy. One patient with a large pericardial cyst underwent needle percutaneous aspiration and CT-guided drainage of the cyst with a positive outcome. There was no operative morbidity or mortality.