Anesthetic Management of an Infant Presenting with an Intrapericardial Tumor: A Case Report

Abstract

Intrapericardial teratomas are rare primary cardiac tumors. These tumors, albeit benign in essence, can be fatal if they exert pressure on the cardiovascular and/or respiratory system. We describe a 34-day-old infant, who needed emergent surgery due to cardiovascular structure compromise. Proper anesthetic and surgical techniques conferred an uneventful postoperative course. Histologic examination confirmed the tumor as an intrapericardial teratoma. At 8 months’ postoperative follow-up, the child had a good developmental status and a normal echocardiogram.