Pericardial cyst: an unusual cause of pneumonia.
BACKGROUND
Pericardial cysts occur rarely with an incidence rate of 1 per 100,000. They are usually detected by chance and are clinically silent in most cases.


METHODS
We report the case of a 66 year old Irish male, with signs and symptoms of pneumonia. A chest X-Ray confirmed left lower lobe consolidation. Further imaging including a CT thorax identified a large pericardial cyst as the cause of the symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
Although pericardial cysts are usually asymptomatic, they can present with chest pain and symptoms of respiratory tract infection.
Elamin
Wael Faroug
WF
Department of Medicine, Cavan General Hospital, Cavan, Ireland. wfmelamin@yahoo.com.
Hannan
Kieran
K