DIVERTICULUM OF THE PERICARDIUM

Effusion into the pericardial cavity and inflammation of the pericardium are of frequent occurrence, and the diagnosis is usually made by clinical methods. Congenital absence of the pericardium and cyst of the pericardium have been noted at postmortem examination. A diverticulum of the pericardium, however, is unusual, and a clinical diagnosis has seldom been made. In some cases the diverticulum is probably of congenital origin. Bristowe, Atayas-Maraty, Seidler, Schirmer and Neprjachin have reported cases in which there was a large opening into the sac, with no evidence of a pathologic condition of the pericardium. There is no embryologic or anatomic explanation for the presence of an area of weakness in the pericardium. A traction diverticulum may occur (Luschka), with concomitant cardiac or pericardial disease. In cases of the latter type one may imagine that the pericardium had unusually thin fibers in one area or was weakened by disease and that