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Published on: July 18, 2014
[Intra-cardiac lymphoma with right heart failure: a therapeutic emergency in two patients]
F Roubille1, F Massin, G Cayla
1Département de Cardiologie, CHU Arnaud de Villeneuve, Montpellier. francois.roubille@orange.fr
Insights
Two patients presented with right heart failure due to intra-cardiac lymphoma. Advanced imaging like MRI and PET scans are crucial for diagnosis, treatment decisions, and monitoring lymphoma response.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Oncology
- Radiology
Background:
- Intra-cardiac lymphoma is a rare condition presenting with right heart failure.
- Prompt diagnosis and characterization are essential for effective management.
Observation:
- Two cases of intra-cardiac lymphoma presenting as right heart failure are detailed.
- Initial echocardiography suggested cardiac tumors, later confirmed as lymphoma via histology.
- Multimodality imaging, including CT and MRI, elucidated lesion extent and anatomical relationships.
Findings:
- Histological confirmation and classification of lymphoma were critical for treatment planning.
- Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanning demonstrated treatment response in one patient.
- Transthoracic echocardiography is vital for acute management, while MRI and PET aid in characterization and follow-up.
Implications:
- This case series highlights the diagnostic utility of advanced imaging in intra-cardiac lymphoma.
- Integrated imaging approaches are essential for optimizing therapeutic strategies and patient outcomes.
- Understanding the role of echocardiography, MRI, and PET is key for managing cardiac lymphomas.
Abstract:
We report the cases of two patients admitted to the Emergency Department with a clinical picture of right heart failure. An emergency echocardiograph suggested an intra-cardiac tumor which turned out to be a primary intra-cardiac lymphoma in one case, and a diffuse lymphoma principally localised in the heart in the other. Echocardiographic, CT and MRI investigations clarified the sites, as well as anatomical relations and extensions. Histology confirmed the diagnosis, and allowed classification of the lymphoma in order to decide on treatment. A PET scan performed in one patient illustrated the response to treatment. The respective significance of each of these investigations is discussed, in addition to the management. While transthoracic echocardiography remains the key element in the acute management, MRI and PET scans are being used more and more often for determining the character of these lesions, as well as for assisting with therapeutic decisions and for follow-up.
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