This pathology was discovered as early as the middle of the 19th century and was called the “pericardial diverticulum” due to suggestions of protrusion of the parietal leaf of the pericardial sac. But in the 40s of the 20th century it was confirmed that such a formation originates from an anomaly in the development of the embryonic cavity, that is, coelom. After which it was renamed the "coelomic pericardial cyst." This disease most often affects women under the age of 40, about 3 times than men.
What is a pericardial cyst
It is a neoplasm that is filled with fluid without any color, is a protrusion of a leaf of the pericardium. The structure of cyst cells is similar in structure to the lining of the heart.
Basically, the formations are small and there are no special signs of such a process.
It is called coelomic due to the fact that during the process of embryonic development they are areas of coelom, that is, embryonic tissue, which forms the pericardium.
In the modern world, cystic formations occur in 7-16 percent. It is mainly localized on the left cardio-diaphragmatic sinus.
Classification of pericardial cysts
Neoplasms by origin are of two types: congenital or acquired (in inflammatory processes or through trauma).
Cysts are classified depending on whether they have a connection with the pericardial cavity of the heart:
- parapericardial cysts (connected with a thin leg or planar fusion);
- pericardial diverticulums (communicating);
- extraparacardial (separated) cysts.
They are also single-chamber and multi-chamber. By the way coelomic pericardial cysts leak, they are classified into:
- with complications;
- without complications;
- asymptomatic.
There is a directory of diseases. The ICD-10 pericardial cyst code is I31.0. According to it, diseases of this organ are classified.
Causes of the disease
Research in this area shows that there are two options for why tumors form.
According to the first of them, this is due to malfunctions of embryogenesis. It has been suggested that cysts occur at the site of pericardial weakness, which is issued as a diverticulum. They are associated with its cavity, subsequently they can separate from it and become isolated.
There is still an assumption that lacunae, the so-called elements that form the pericardial sac, develop in some cases unevenly, from which pericardial cysts can arise.
In the second scenario, the causes of this disease are factors that affect the body after birth:
- inflammatory processes;
- various hematomas of the heart due to injuries;
- tumors;
- parasites from the environment.
Symptoms
The fact is that the coelomic cyst of the pericardium may not indicate itself for a long time. Frequent cases of detection of the disease is a survey on completely different calls to doctors.
The pericardial cyst on the heart begins to bother a person in the process of his growth, as it interferes with the full functioning of the organs that it crowds. Such failures include:
- dyspnea;
- the occurrence of pain in the heart;
- a feeling of heaviness and pressure on the internal organs located next to the neoplasm.
There are such cases when, when the cyst ruptures, the fluid that was inside gets on the internal organs, while accompanied by pain in the chest area, shortness of breath, paleness and, in some situations, coughing appear. Under these circumstances, immediate medical attention is required.
Diagnostic methods
To identify the location of the cyst, the following actions are carried out:
- Multi-plane radiography used by one of the first methods for determining neoplasms. This is the first step in the survey.
- Computer diagnostics make it clear what kind of pathology is present in the body. Shows the location and growth radius of the neoplasm.
- Echocardiography - determination of the presence of pericardial cysts, as well as the condition of the heart.
- Thoracoscopy is an examination with an endoscope that displays an image of the lesions.
- Magnetic resonance imaging is a modern method for diagnosing a disease, which determines the presence of a cyst and helps to simultaneously reveal its nature.
- Catheterization - refers to invasive methods, allowing you to see the condition of the heart.
- Pericardial cyst on CT. In this case, all the outlines of the formations and their location are visible.
An experienced doctor at the first visit to his patients will be able to notice some protrusion of the chest, which indicates the presence of pathology.
Treatment
The fight against neoplasms is performed surgically. Most often, doctors resort to such a method of treating pericardial cysts as thoracoscopy, which is also used at the stage of diagnosing a disease. In this case, surgeons cost only a few incisions. If the size of the neoplasm is small, then the pericardial cyst is hatched. When everything is different and there is a lot of fluid in the cavity, it is pumped out by puncture. After which the formation is removed, its leg is bandaged.
With this type of surgery, the risk of complications and injuries is minimal, in contrast to open surgery. As a result, the rehabilitation process is much faster.
In the framework of the traditional operation on the pericardial cyst, it is very important not to damage the phrenic nerve, its mandatory mobilization is necessary.
Recovery process
The postoperative period does not always go smoothly.
For the patient, such restoration appointments as moistened oxygen, inhalation of antibiotics, soda and chymotrypsin, camphor, strophanthin are followed. If there are cardiac accelerations, corglucon, glucose with vitamins C and B are used intravenously, painkillers, given the sensitivity of microflora and antibiotics parenterally. That is, with a good course of the postoperative period, therapeutic actions are carried out aimed at combating pain, preventing heart disease and the respiratory system, as well as getting into the body of infections.
If the water balance is disturbed, potassium, chloride and soda preparations are prescribed. It takes into account how much the body removes the liquid, and how much it enters, this allows you to timely adjust the state of the body.
Particular attention when restoring the body after removal of the pericardial cyst is given to the condition of the lungs. With the help of a vacuum apparatus, a vacuum is created in the pleural cavity, that is, drainage, which is removed the next day.
An x-ray of the chest is performed to monitor the state of the pleural cavity, if air is found in it, then a puncture is made with aspiration of what is contained there, antibiotics are administered.
There are such cases in patients when there is an increase in secretion in the tracheobronchial tract, which can lead to respiratory hypoxia. In this case, measures related to the introduction of antibiotics, the introduction of endoscopic instruments, and puncture of the trachea are required.
If this method is not effective, medical bronchoscopy is used, or rather bloating of the lungs until spontaneous breathing and a cough reflex are restored.
There is control over the temperature of the body. If it rises for more than two days and already increases by third more than in the previous ones, then this indicates that an infection has occurred.
Blood that was lost during surgery is transfused immediately.
The result of all of the above is that all recovery procedures carry a solution to such a problem as the timely determination of all kinds of complications and the fight against them.
Complications
In the case of a constant growth of the neoplasm, accordingly, pressure occurs on the internal organs located in close proximity. Such circumstances are nothing but a danger not only to health, but also to the life of the patient. The appearance of a pericardial cyst, which is also dangerous, is its rupture, due to some condition accompanying it. If liquid enters the walls of the heart, oncology may develop.
Prevention of occurrence
All measures to prevent the appearance of a pericardial cyst are reduced only to diagnosing it in time. And for this you need regular medical examinations and examinations. We also need treatment of diseases of the circulatory system, if any, and their accompanying pathologies. You must try to avoid injuring the body.
Folk methods
Self-medication in all areas of the human body is fraught with adverse consequences, but in our world there are people who are categorically against surgical intervention. And for help, they turn to traditional medicine.
Herbal medicine for all types of cysts can be said to be the same, and it consists in the following:
- Burdock juice, also called burdock. The composition of its leaves and roots includes alkaloids, about 50 percent of inulin, resin, as well as some vitamins. Its action is blood purifying properties, because burdock is a means to combat neoplasms. To prepare juice from burdock, you need to thoroughly wash, dry and grind it in a meat grinder, squeeze and insist 5 days in a cool and dark place. It is necessary to take 2 times a day before meals for two months. However, it is mandatory to undergo an ultrasound scan before and after such therapy.
- Elecampane, which also contains natural inulin. Most often, this particular plant helps in the fight against small cystic formations. A decoction of elecampane is prepared as follows: in 3 liters of boiled water that has cooled, yeast is bred, after which 40 grams of dried grass is added and insisted for 2 days. Such infusion should be taken 21 days 2 times a day.
- Acacia with its excellent composition, which includes alkaloids, vitamins glycosides, quercetin, campfenders, is an excellent tool for treating cysts of various kinds. 5 tablespoons of flowers and leaves of the plant is poured with half a liter of vodka. Infused for a week. The use of this drug should be carried out with caution due to the alcohol content. 1 teaspoon half an hour before meals 2 times a day, the course of therapy - 2 months.
Such methods of combating the formation of cysts should be carried out only with strict monitoring and in the manner prescribed by the regime, without avoiding medical examination and medical advice.
Conclusion
The most important thing in the treatment of coelomic pericardial cysts is the timely diagnosis and prescription of a doctor.
The prognosis is favorable, and the tumor will be completely removed. Indeed, in the modern world medicine has advanced very far in new methods of dealing with various diseases of internal organs, one of which is cystic formation in the pericardium. The very location of this education already suggests that it can directly threaten human life and health.