Lymphangioma of the heart as a rare tumor: A case report.
Int J Surg Case Rep 2018;
53:246-249. [PMID:
30428442 PMCID:
PMC6232616 DOI:
10.1016/j.ijscr.2018.09.047]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2018] [Revised: 09/21/2018] [Accepted: 09/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Lymphangioma is a rare cardiac tumor.
Lymphangiomas are benign in nature.
Diagnosis based on imaging techniques is difficult.
Surgery may be needed for definitive diagnosis and treatment.
Introduction
Tumors of the heart are uncommon, and lymphangiomas are among the rarest of this group, with very few cases reported. These tumors consist of a benign slow-flow vascular malformation.
Presentation of case
We report a case of a man diagnosed incidentally with a pericardial mass and our surgical approach for its treatment.
Discussion
The pericardial mass of our case had no cleavage plane between the myocardium and the tumor. Because of this, rather than a total resection, with very high operative risk, a biopsy was preferred. The pathology specimen showed a benign tumor and the patient was referred to the cardiologist for regular follow-up.
Conclusion
There is no specific investigation for diagnosing cardiac lymphangiomas, and though benign, they should be considered in the differential diagnosis of other malignant diseases of the mediastinum and definitive pathologic diagnosis is mandatory. Given the increased risk of uncontrolled bleeding related to percutaneous biopsy, the definite diagnosis is usually obtained with open surgical biopsy.
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