A giant coronary sinus mimicking descending aorta
Osman Can Yontar1, Alim Erdem, Izzet Tandogan
1Cumhuriyet University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Cardiology, Sivas, Turkey. o.canyontar@gmail.com
Acta Cardiologica
|January 23, 2009
Summary
A giant coronary sinus was unexpectedly discovered in a patient presenting with dyspnoea. This finding highlights the importance of comprehensive cardiac imaging for accurate diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Imaging
- Anatomy
Background:
- A 58-year-old male presented with dyspnoea, prompting an initial investigation for descending aortic aneurysm.
- Diagnostic workup included echocardiography and computed tomography (CT) scanning.
Observation:
- Initial CT scan revealed a normal-sized descending aorta, contradicting the suspected aneurysm.
- Repeat echocardiography was performed for further cardiac assessment.
Findings:
- Intravenous contrast examination during echocardiography identified a giant coronary sinus.
- This anatomical variation was the unexpected finding in a patient evaluated for aortic pathology.
Implications:
- The case underscores the potential for incidental findings during diagnostic imaging for other conditions.
- Accurate identification of cardiac anatomical variations like a giant coronary sinus is crucial for appropriate patient management and avoiding misdiagnosis.
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