We report two cases of intrapericardial teratoma, a rare cardiac tumor, usually found in neonates and young infants, which may cause respiratory distress, large pericardial effusions and cardiac compression leading to intra-uterine or neonatal death. Both cases were diagnosed noninvasively by echocardiogram, in a 3 month-old girl with signs of cardiac tamponade, and by fetal echocardiography, in a 38 week pregnant woman. Successful surgical removal of the tumor was undertaken in both patients at the ages of 3 months and 3 days of life, respectively. Histology confirmed the diagnosis of teratoma. It is emphasized the diagnostic accuracy of achocardiography and the importance of early surgical treatment in the management of intrapericardial teratoma.
Heart tumors; Intrapericardial teratoma