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?

[popsicle121]

I was just told today that I have a Pericardial cyst and I just started radiation therapy for breast cancer.  I don't know what to do about radiation because my PCP and Radiation oncologist seem stumped as to what they should do.  Isn't that a scary thought?  It seems that in May of 09 I had a CT scan and it showed up on that scan, and no one bothered to tell me then , I had another on Jan. 2011 and I find out today that I have this cyst that has been growing.  I am frustrated and scared,  Can anyone tell me more about these types of cysts?

[Blondie523]

Hi.  I just had a pericardial cyst removed on Monday and was discharged today.  My heart surgeon told me that my cyst was the size of a grapefruit.  Surgery went well (better than I thought it would go).  If you have a pericardial cyst and it's large, definitely have it removed!

[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.

[aj984]

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

[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

[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.