Pericardial cysts and removal

[crazyornot]

I have a pericardial cyst. I have dyspnea. A ct was done and the cyst was discovered. After doing research, I discovered that a pericardial cyst can cause tachycardia, hypertension, dyspnea, pain, and palpitations. I have all of those problems and have had them for about 3-4 yrs. According to my dr.'s, they don't want to remove it because it's not large enough. So, how is it possible to know what size a cyst needs to be to cause the symptoms a person has? Why wouldn't a smaller cyst cause the problems I'm having? How can they know that it's not responsible? And who should I go to if I want to have it removed even if my Dr. wants to let it get larger than a grapefruit?

[jonniegilman]

Does anyone on this thread have a surgeon they can recommend who has experience removing pericardial cysts in the Seattle WA region?

[rcb19491949]

Just had a 3,5cm removed via Da Vinci robotic  assisted surgery on 1/5/17. Released after 4 days. I'm  still pretty sore especially at the chest tube site. However, I foresee a pretty quick recovery (4-5 weeks). The cyst was discovered a year ago after a routine chest x-ray. Almost immediately  after the surgery, my BP dropped appreciably and back down to normal, pain in left thoracic region gone as is the small tickle in my throat. I'm in the San Antonio area and my surgeon, Dr Carmelo Otero is widely used for this and numerous cardiac surgeries where DaVinci surgery is beneficial.

[WendyBruce]

I had a very large periodical cyst in 1994 at the age of 34  after 23 years of age.  Now in 2016 some 23 years later I have just found I have a 2nd on just lucky I guess. Still cant believe that it is happening a second time.

[Buddydoglove]

Your not alone.. I had mine removed in 2014 and I just found out it's back!  How can that be.. I thought these things were rare and impossible to come back after being removed.  I definitely will not have the surgery again that was horrible, I hope they can let it be or drain it.

[jac_ko_ha]

on my chest xray they found a mass, then they refered me to doctor of internal medicine,and he told me for a ctscan I have a pericardial cyst the size is 3x3.2x6.2cm, after a ctscan

[chesard]

Hi, I had a right pericardial cyst removed on 2nd March 2016, it was in the diaphragm, I am recovering well, it was the size of a fist, test and benign, I had the operation in the Royal Brompton Chelsea, my surgeon mr Simon Jordan said they are rare but he sees one a year, please do not stress I was concerned when no one had seen one until I went to a specialist heart and lung hospital, 11 days into recovery, home 4 days after surgery, feel great obviously still on pain relief, but the symptoms of breathlessness, dizziness and uncomfort when I ate or drink , I have no regret I had the surgery, wish everyone well

[chesard]

Symptoms all gone

[jugarf]

I have a pericardial cyst on the apex of my heart that has quadrupled in size since last June.  I'm having GERD, coughing, chest pain, and shoulder pain.  Where is your dr and hospital that you had this done.  I'm in Johnson City, TN and there aren't any doctors here that do VAT surgery or other less invasive surgery.  I don't feel I need open heart surgery for this.  Any suggestions?

[ALynnb]

It going on a year with my pericardial cyst. In late 2014 it was 2.5 X 3.5. In April of 2015 it went to 4.5 X 3.4X 2.5. A few weeks ago I had my check up and all the tests once again. Its maintained the size. I have symptoms everyone on this community has described. I finally have my cardiologist appointment yesterday. she wants me wait till it gets bigger. But was open minded enough to put me in with a surgeon to see if he will do it.. and go over what to expect. I wish it was not hard to get doctors on track with this type of abnormality on the heart. I am tired of monitoring, test etc that are just going to keep racking in the bills. I rather be done and move on from this all. I was told it is growing toward the lung, which I guess is better than growing inward and toward the heart. But I have barely 3cm between the cyst and the lung now. Anyone able to say anything of advice on how to deal with the meeting with the surgeon to get him to do the removal and move on from this. .

[tedsgirl]

That is so awesome with the reply of if it doesn't belong there, then it should be gone!!! My doctor that I just had an appointment with pretty much left it up to me and in my hands. My concern is it maybe cancerous. He said that chances are that it isn't, but with my mothers whole side that have passed away due to cancer except her so far. She has battled cancer and so far is winning.....made me feel as though I should have it removed. Why wait and monitor it and find out later that it is malignant and then have to deal with removing something that may have gotten bigger and be cancerous and then have to deal with chemo and radiation....Chances are, maybe not....but I don't want to find out later that I SHOULD have removed it sooner. So its a go for me, now I just have to go through the insurance hoops..../=

[patanel]

do you know if a pericardial cyst can fall off and pass through your digestive system

[patanel]

what hospital removed your cyst

[Dmey]

Today is my 7th day out of VATS for a 7cm pericardial cyst removal.  Had been living with this worry for 8 years and finally found this Robotic Surgery Surgeon who was willing to take a look at it and have it removed.  Recovery has been slow but steady, I did suffer shortness of breath on the 3rd day after the surgery and the incisions are still painful specially the one where they took the cyst out from. Pathology came back negative and I am so happy the cyst is gone.

[Buddydoglove]

I just had this surgery done on Dec 4th by VATS and it was no walk in the park.  I had chest pain, shortness of breath and over all tiredness. I went to the hospital with what I thought were stroke symptoms and they found this cyst. It was 10cm X8cm, I spent 4 days in the hospital and the recovery has been very hard.  A lot of pain and discomfort and I still can't feel my right side. I hoping this will get better as time goes by. I can't say my symptoms have improved since I am still  in recovery mode but will keep everyone posted.

[jonniegilman]

How are you doing now, Buddydoglove?

[Bonebags]

I am 62yrs old I was having chest pain from a bad reaction of taking antibiotic that should not have been subscribed to me and went to ER by accident and they gave me a CT scan and found that I have a pericardial cyst on the right side of my pericardial region that measures 7.7x3.3x3.7cm they also discovered a mass in the right adrenal gland that measures 23x20.  I just learned of this Oct 13 2014. I am currently doing research cause I don't know How big these measures are but want to check into having surgery.  I have a constant cough.  My problem is I have medical and I need to find a good doctor.  I live in the Los Angeles area and I do not trust these doctors here

[tanyasgrama03]

Look for a cardio-thoracic surgeon.

[tanyasgrama03]

The surgery isnt too bad. It has been 9 months for me and I am glad its out, I havent really had any breathing problems since it was removed. But I do have a little pain still where the chest tube was.

[Tmike]

is the surgery fast? I am scared and the cyst was found back in May 2014 and now its August..its weird because these past weeks I suddenly have to found a good sleeping position to sleep...or i have to get up to breathe..anyone experience this?

[Whiner_moper]

Although your surgery was back in 2012 just wondering if you've had resolution to your systems

[Whiner_moper]

I too have a pericardial cyst I actually am seeing the sergeon tomorrow my concern / question is after the surgery is over and am on my way to recovery what is my likely hood of still having the pain and breathing problem my cardiologist  keeps saying what if you still are having the pain after for those who have had these surgerys did you have relief after the removal of the cyst

[tanyasgrama03]

I had a large pericardial cyst about 7×1 cm, removed last week via VATS. It had grown a lot within 6 mos and was causing heart and lung problems. I went to an urgent care clinic and the doc there was very concerned so she ordered the CT. I can't believe so many other drs say to ignore it, my lung specialist said if it would have been in longer my lung would have died, I was having chest pain,tachycardia, weightloss and a bit of high blood pressure and pneumonia symptoms.  A cardio-thorasic surgeon is the one that performed my surgery. Worst part of the surgery was the chest tube and the pain on my wrist from the arterial line.

[Kareine]

Could you tell me who did your surgery? I have a large pericardial cyst was 9.7 CM now 6.4CM. How did the surgery go and post surgery.  Having trouble finding a Dr. with experience.  Also fluid under right lung base. Thank you for your info.

[Kareine]

I was diagnosed with a pericardial cyst 3 years ago. It was 9.7cm a year ago. Now it is 6.4cm which is still large. I live in Knoxville Tennessee. I'm having trouble finding a cardio surgeon who has had experience removing these since they are so rare. Last Saturday I was taken to ER by ambulance thinking I was having a heart attack. I wasn't , Thank God. They did a CT on my chest with contrast and found some fluid under right lung base, along with the cyst still there, but has decreased in size. I am concerned about having this pericardial cyst removed, because it is a risky surgery. I don't know anyone here that has had one that I can talk to. How are you doing Now? Can you tell me about the surgery and post surgery. They aren't sure where the fluid is coming from, may've another problem or from the cyst.  This is a challenge because it is so rare. I am thinking about getting a consult at Mayo Clinic in Rochester MN. Thank you so much for your info.

[sincerely12]

Who did your surgery, a heart or lung specialist?  I have been told the lung surgeon is more qualified which confuses me. Shouldn't the cyst be removed by cardiac surgeon since the cyst stems from the heart? I don't know the best decision as the lung surgeon's website shows no experiencd with the heart.

[sincerely12]

I'm curious also about the dangers. I also need surgery but dr.'s waiver on confidence of removal and who is best suited. It's so frustrating to not know what risks are worth it with these conditions. I wish the experience was as certain as their confidence.

[crazywoman26]

I read your comment on the removal of your pericardical cyst .  I have just had my second CT and now confirmed that my cyst is on the left side and 16 cm large. Since these seem to be rare I cannot find anyone that has experience in the removal of this type of cyst.  Where did you have yours done? Did you find any research on how to find surgeons with experience in this procedure.
I hope to hear from you ASAP to be able to get some peace of mind

[aj984]

I live in GA and Dr. Gott in Atlanta removed mine in 2011 ....Wonderful doctor wonderful hospital ....

[pat81670]

What did you do to get your heart surgeon to even perform the surgery?  I've been back & forth with my primary care doctor who vacillates between "not to worry about it" to it is big".  I've had chest X-rays and a CT Scan.  I thought I found a thoracic surgeon who was willing to see me (2nd opinion), but he wanted to see results of MRI first.  Of course, the MRI was denied because the health insurance team deemed it "medically unnecessary".  The size of my cyst is 2.3 x 3.2 cm, and I do have some discomfort.  I saw a cardiologist, had a echocardiogram, and a pulmonary function and stress test, but nobody's hair is on fire about this.  What does a person have to do to get this surgery?!?!?  thank you.