A case of partial absence of the left pericardium

Abstract

A rare case of partial absence of the left pericardium was reported. The patient was a seventy-nine years old male and the cause of death was a gastric cancer. The pericardial absence was oval in shape, in egg-size with smooth margin and was located between the superior portion of the left pericardium and the pleural cavity. The pulmonary artery, left auricle and superior part of the left ventricle were visible through the absence. The left phrenic nerve descended along the anterior free margin of the absence.