Acute cardiac tamponade due to perforation of a benign mediastinal teratoma into the pericardial sac. Review of cardiovascular manifestations of mediastinal teratomas.

Abstract

Summary A unique case of acute cardiac tamponade caused by perforation of a benign mediastinal teratoma into the pericardium is reported. The patient was originally thought to have primary cardiovascular disease, but, because of an anterior mediastinal mass seen on chest x-ray film and because of a rising venous pressure, exploratory thoracotomy was performed and the true diagnosis was established. The cardiovascular manifestations and complications of mediastinal teratomas are reviewed and the pathophysiology of perforation is discussed.