Another disease that is occasionally seen in our patients who come to our hospital's cardiology outpatient clinic is pericardial diseases. Pericardium is the sac that contains our heart. 

What are Pericardial Diseases?

The pericardium is the sac that prevents the heart from expanding suddenly and allowing infection to reach the heart. They may also be called pericardial diseases or pericardial diseases. There are many types of pericardial diseases and these diseases are pericardial cyst, pericardial defect, pericardial diverticulum, pericardial effusion, pericardial inflammation, constrictive pericarditis and pericardial tumors. Pericardial Cyst Pericardial cysts form between the heart and the diaphragm. They usually do not cause a problem, but they may cause symptoms if they put pressure on other cardiac structures. Pericardial Diverticula Pericardial diverticula are rare anomalies and may be congenital or acquired. They can be confused with pericardial cysts. They are typically at cardiophrenic angle levels. Its size and shape may change with body position and respiratory movements. Pericardial Defect is the absence of a small part or all of the pericardium. It is usually partially absent. In some patients, it may be seen together with other heart-related malformations, bronchogenic cysts and hiatal hernia. Congenital absence of pericardium is a rare anomaly. Pericardial Effusion is the accumulation of fluid in the pericardium. Many diseases such as kidney failure, trauma, heart failure, rheumatoid arthritis can cause pericardial effusion. It can surround the entire circumference of the heart and can also be seen in limited sizes in patients who have undergone heart surgery. Pericardial Inflammation The patient's complaint may vary depending on the inflammation, and some patients may even have no symptoms. Some traumas can cause pericarditis. Constructive Pericarditis is a condition in which the heart sac becomes thick and hard. In the past, the most common cause was tuberculosis, but now the most common cause is radiation therapy after heart surgery. Less common causes include infection, tissue diseases, anemia and cancer. Pericardial Tumors Cardiac sac tumors or cancers are rare problems. However, cancers related to organs located close to the heart, breast cancer, lung cancer or lymphoma can damage the heart membrane.

What are the symptoms of Pericardial Diseases?

Pericardial diseases can be similar and interrelated, and their symptoms may also be similar. Symptoms of pericardial cysts may include cough, chest pain, shortness of breath and palpitations. In pericardial diverticula, pain in the lower abdomen may last for a few days. Symptoms of effusion may appear as diarrhea, vomiting, fever, chest pain, muscle pain, shortness of breath and fatigue. Pericardial inflammation has symptoms similar to effusion and the patient may complain of shortness of breath, pain, fatigue, fever and palpitations. Dyspnea, cough, weakness, weight loss and chest pain are also symptoms of constrictive pericarditis. Diagnosis of Pericardial Diseases: For pericardial diseases, ECG, ECHO, MRI, EMAR, TSE images, CT for effusion and MRI techniques for pericardial fluid and diverticulum are important and used in diagnosis in terms of correct diagnosis and treatment according to diagnosis. When necessary, diagnosis of pericardial tumors can be made by biopsy, cytological and immunological evaluation. Treatment of Pericardial Diseases: Depending on the type of pericardial diseases, they can be treated with medication or surgery, and in some cases with post-surgical medication support. Surgical procedures involve removing part of the pericardium and draining the fluid around the heart. Our cardiologist will help you by diagnosing the disease by applying the specified diagnostic methods and recommending the most appropriate treatment method.