Intrapericardial teratoma in infancy.

Intrapericardial teratoma is a rare, congenital, pedunculated tumor, usually attached to the ascending aorta and associated with massive pericardial effusion, cardiac compression, and severe cardiorespiratory distress in infants and young children. Echocardiography and cardiac cineangiography are diagnostic and should be used promptly. The tumor is generally benign and early surgical removal is curative. The case reports of two infants who underwent successful surgical removal of their lesions are presented.