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CC BY 4.0 · European J Pediatr Surg Rep. 2025; 13(01): e31-e34
DOI: 10.1055/a-2655-3348
Case Report

Cardiac Tamponade Secondary to a Giant Pleuropericardial Cyst in a Child: A Surgical Case Report from Sub-Saharan Africa

Authors

  • Abdel Kémal Bori Bata

    1   University Visceral Surgery Clinic (CNHU-HKM), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Benin
    2   University Cardiology Clinic (CNHU-HKM), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Benin

  • Yacoubou Imorou-Souaibou

    3   University Hospital Center of the Abomey-Calavi/So-Ava Zone (CHUZ/AS), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Benin

  • Ahmad Ibrahim 

    4   University Cardiology Clinic (CNHU-HKM), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Benin

  • Désiré Nékoua

    5   Multipurpose University Clinic of Anesthesia and Resuscitation (CNHU-HKM), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Benin

  • Joseph Adoco

    6   University Cardiology Clinic (CNHU-HKM), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Benin

  • Arnaud Sonou

    6   University Cardiology Clinic (CNHU-HKM), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Benin

Funding None.
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Graphical Abstract

Abstract

Pleuropericardial cysts are rare mediastinal tumors with variable, often severe, clinical presentations in children, occasionally requiring urgent intervention. We report the case of a previously healthy 14-year-old male who was admitted with signs of severe congestive heart failure and clinical evidence of cardiac tamponade. Transthoracic echocardiography and thoracic CT scan confirmed the presence of a compressive mediastinal cystic mass. The patient underwent emergency surgical resection via median sternotomy. Histopathological examination confirmed a benign pericardial cyst. Postoperative recovery was uneventful, and no recurrence was observed after 2 years of follow-up.

Keywords

pleuropericardial cyst - child - surgical resection - sub-Saharan Africa

Patients' Consent

Written informed consent was obtained from the patient's legal guardians for publication of this case report and accompanying images.




Publication History

Received: 04 May 2025

Accepted: 12 July 2025

Accepted Manuscript online:
15 July 2025

Article published online:
28 July 2025

© 2025. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

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