Aortic valve lipomatous hamartoma in a young woman

Tomoyuki Wada1, Shinji Miyamoto, Hirofumi Anai

  • 1Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Oita University School of Medicine, Yufu, Japan.

The Japanese Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery : Official Publication of the Japanese Association for Thoracic Surgery = Nihon Kyobu Geka Gakkai Zasshi
|November 11, 2005
PubMed

Insights

This report details a rare case of a lipomatous hamartoma on the aortic valve in a young woman. Surgical intervention and histopathology confirmed this unusual cardiac finding, the first of its kind reported.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Lipomatous hamartomas are rare benign tumors typically found in the breast or mediastinum.
  • Aortic valve masses can present diagnostic challenges, with differential diagnoses including infective endocarditis, myxoma, or malignancy.

Observation:

  • A 17-year-old female presented with a cardiac murmur.
  • Echocardiography revealed severe aortic regurgitation and a distinct, highly echogenic mass on the right aortic valve cusp.
  • Surgical exploration identified a yellowish, bead-shaped mass on the aortic valve.

Findings:

  • Histopathological examination definitively diagnosed the aortic valve mass as a lipomatous hamartoma.
  • This represents the first documented instance of a lipomatous hamartoma originating from the aortic valve.

Implications:

  • This case expands the known anatomical locations for lipomatous hamartomas.
  • Highlights the importance of considering rare diagnoses in the evaluation of aortic valve masses, even in young patients.
  • Underscores the role of advanced imaging and surgical pathology in accurate diagnosis and management.

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