Intrapericardial Lipoma: an Incidental Echocardiographic finding

Internal Medicine Unit, Ospedale del Mare, ASL Napoli 1 Centro , Naples, Italy
Cardiology Unit, Ospedale San Giovanni di Dio , ASL Napoli 2 Nord, , Frattamaggiore (Naples), Italy

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: Health Sci J

Abstract:

Background: Primary cardiac tumors are considerably less common than secondary cardiac malignant tumors. Lipomas are rare primary cardiac tumors that account for 8.4% of benign primary cardiac tumors. Case history: A 73-years-old female presented to our hospital with a 4 week history of dyspnea. Her history included smoking and left popliteal aneurysm. Chest X-ray was consistent with left pleural effusion. Transthoracic echocardiography showed normal left ventricular systolic function and a 5.3 cm×4.5 cm hypoechoic mass within the pericardium attached to the free wall of the right atrium. CT examination was suggestive for a voluminous intrapericardial lipoma and a pleural malignant tumor. The diagnosis of a cardiac lipoma was confirmed by cardiac MRI finding. The pleural effusion was drained and the patient underwent a thoracoscopic pleurodesis procedure with talc. Analysis of the pleural fluid and histopathology of the pleura revealed lung adenocarcinoma. The patient was treated with medical therapy only due to advanced stage of cancer. Discussion: Cardiac lipomas are found incidentally because they are generally asymptomatic. Surgery intervention is indicated for symptomatic cardiac lipomas. Transthoracic echocardiogram has high sensitivity and specificity for detection of intra-cardiac tumors but cardiac MRI and CT are the investigations of choice in characterization of the tumors. References 1. Singh S, Singh M, Kovacs D, Benatar D, Khosla S, et al. (2015) A rare case of a intracardiac lipoma. Int J Surg Case Rep 9: 105-108. 2. Schiettecatte A, Verdries D, de Mey J, De Maeseneer M, Dujardin M (2012) Magnetic resonance imaging findings in cardiac lipoma. JBR–BTR 95: 300-301.

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