Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Pericarditis I: Introduction

Pericarditis I: Introduction

Pericarditis is defined as the inflammation of the pericardium, the thin, sac-like membrane surrounding the heart. This condition can cause significant chest pain and other symptoms, often necessitating medical intervention. The pericardium has two layers: the inner visceral layer and the outer parietal layer, separated by a small amount of fluid that reduces friction during heartbeats.Types of PericarditisPericarditis can be classified into several types based on the duration and nature of the...

Pericarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests

Pericarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests

Pericarditis is distinguished by inflammation of the pericardium, the fibrous sac that encases the heart. It can be acute, lasting less than six weeks, or chronic, persisting for over three months. Understanding its clinical manifestations and diagnostic findings is crucial for timely and effective management.Clinical ManifestationsWhile pericarditis can be asymptomatic, it usually presents with characteristic symptoms such as:Chest Pain: The most characteristic symptom of pericarditis is chest...

Location and Orientation of the Heart

Location and Orientation of the Heart

The human heart, despite its modest size and weight, is an organ of remarkable strength and endurance. Roughly the size of a fist, the heart weighs between 250 and 350 grams and is nestled within the mediastinum, the medial cavity of the thorax. It extends obliquely for about 12 to 14 cm, resting on the superior surface of the diaphragm. The heart is positioned anterior to the vertebral column and posterior to the sternum, with two-thirds of its mass lying to the left of the midsternal line.

Pericarditis III: Medical Management

Pericarditis III: Medical Management

The primary objectives of managing pericarditis are to determine the underlying cause, provide effective therapy for treatment and symptom relief, and promptly detect signs and symptoms of cardiac tamponade. The following outlines the essential aspects of medical management for pericarditis:ObjectivesDetermine the Cause: Identifying the underlying cause of pericarditis is crucial for targeted treatment. Causes include viral infections, autoimmune diseases, post-cardiac injury syndrome, and...

The Tumor Microenvironment

The Tumor Microenvironment

Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...

Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterized by asymmetric left ventricular hypertrophy without ventricular dilation. It is more common in men and is typically diagnosed in young, athletic adults.EtiologyHCM is primarily genetic and is caused by mutations in genes encoding sarcomeric proteins. Researchers have identified over 1400 mutations across at least 11 different genes. Among these, the most frequently occurring mutations are found in the...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Trusting Generative AI for Health Advice: Preregistered Survey Experiment.

Journal of medical Internet research·2026

Same author

Molecular Mechanisms of PFAS-induced Neurotoxicity: Dysregulation of PPARs and VDR as a New Therapeutic Frontier.

Mini reviews in medicinal chemistry·2026

Same author

SGLT2 Inhibition as a Novel Therapeutic Strategy in Rheumatic Heart Disease.

JACC. Asia·2026

Same author

Addressing PFAS contamination in India: a call for comprehensive action, policy progress, and pathway forward.

Environmental science and pollution research international·2026

Same author

The Effect of Platelet-Rich Fibrin in Preventing Alveolar Osteitis Following Mandibular Third Molar Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Cureus·2026

Same author

Faricimab for previously-treated eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration with inadequate response - 6-month interim analysis of the FURGGHORN study.

Asia-Pacific journal of ophthalmology (Philadelphia, Pa.)·2026

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 14, 2026

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance for the Evaluation of Suspected Cardiac Thrombus: Conventional and Emerging Techniques

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance for the Evaluation of Suspected Cardiac Thrombus: Conventional and Emerging Techniques

Published on: June 11, 2019

Pericardial fat masquerading as tumor.

Gregg Pressman¹, Nitin Verma

¹Albert Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19141, USA.

Echocardiography (Mount Kisco, N.Y.)

|April 13, 2010

Summary

A pericardial fat pad and effusion mimicked a tumor in a patient with a history of gastrointestinal stromal tumor. Biopsy confirmed benign fibro-adipose tissue, highlighting a common diagnostic challenge.

Area of Science:

Cardiology
Oncology
Pathology

Background:

A 65-year-old female presented with fatigue, malaise, and atypical chest pain.
History of subtotal gastrectomy and jejunostomy for a gastrointestinal stromal tumor one year prior.
Echocardiography revealed a pericardial effusion with a mass at the right atrial/right ventricular junction.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate a suspected pericardial tumor in a patient with a history of malignancy.
To differentiate between neoplastic and non-neoplastic causes of a pericardial mass.

Main Methods:

Two-dimensional echocardiography to visualize the pericardial effusion and mass.
Thoracoscopy and biopsy of the pericardial mass for histopathological examination.

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 14, 2026

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance for the Evaluation of Suspected Cardiac Thrombus: Conventional and Emerging Techniques

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance for the Evaluation of Suspected Cardiac Thrombus: Conventional and Emerging Techniques

Published on: June 11, 2019

Main Results:

Echocardiography showed a small circumferential pericardial effusion and a soft tissue density at the right atrial/right ventricular junction.
Histopathological analysis of the biopsied mass revealed normal fibro-adipose tissue, with no evidence of neoplasm.
The findings suggest the mass was a prominent pericardial fat pad.

Conclusions:

Pericardial fat deposition can mimic cardiac tumors, especially when associated with pericardial effusion.
Diagnostic imaging and biopsy are crucial for accurate diagnosis of pericardial masses.
This case underscores the importance of considering benign conditions in the differential diagnosis of pericardial masses, even in patients with a history of cancer.