Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 1, 2026

Implantation of Total Artificial Heart in Congenital Heart Disease
07:27

Implantation of Total Artificial Heart in Congenital Heart Disease

Published on: July 18, 2014

Erdheim-Chester disease in a female cardiac surgery patient

H R Mahoozi1, A Zittermann, K Hakim Meibodi

  • 1Clinic for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Heart Center NRW, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany.

The Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon
|May 20, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) can present with isolated cardiac involvement. Surgical strategies for cardiac tumors should consider ECD, especially those with infiltrative growth patterns.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Oncology
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) is a rare non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis.
  • Cardiac involvement in ECD is uncommon and often associated with extracardiac manifestations.

Observation:

  • A 74-year-old female presented with superior vena cava syndrome.
  • PET-CT revealed obstructing and non-obstructing hypermetabolic cardiac lesions in the right and left atria, respectively.
  • No extracardiac disease was detected.

Findings:

  • Surgical exploration identified an infiltrative right atrial tumor.
  • Histological and immunohistochemical analysis confirmed Erdheim-Chester disease.
  • The tumor had invaded the pericardium.

Implications:

  • Isolated cardiac ECD is a potential diagnosis for cardiac tumors with infiltrative growth.
  • Cardiac ECD should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cardiac masses.
  • This case highlights the importance of considering rare diagnoses in cardiac oncology.

More Related Videos

Cox-Maze IV Procedure Concomitant with Valvular Surgery In Situs Inversus Dextrocardia: A Single-Center Experience in China08:42

Cox-Maze IV Procedure Concomitant with Valvular Surgery In Situs Inversus Dextrocardia: A Single-Center Experience in China

Published on: February 11, 2022

Minimal Invasive Surgical Procedure of Inducing Myocardial Infarction in Mice09:05

Minimal Invasive Surgical Procedure of Inducing Myocardial Infarction in Mice

Published on: May 4, 2015

Related Concept Videos

Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction01:23

Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction

Rheumatic heart disease or RHD is a chronic condition that results from rheumatic fever, causing permanent damage to the heart valves.Etiology and Risk FactorsIt primarily arises from rheumatic fever, an inflammatory disease that can develop after untreated or inadequately treated group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis. Streptococcus spreads through direct contact with oral or respiratory secretions. While the bacteria are the causative agents, factors like malnutrition, overcrowding, poor...
Cardiac Catheterization II: Right Heart Catheterization01:21

Cardiac Catheterization II: Right Heart Catheterization

Right Heart Catheterization: An OverviewRight heart catheterization is an invasive diagnostic procedure that measures right-sided cardiac and pulmonary artery pressures, calculates cardiac output, and identifies intracardiac shunts. It provides detailed hemodynamic data essential for diagnosing and managing various cardiovascular conditions, such as pulmonary hypertension.Access SitesCommon access sites for right heart catheterization include the internal jugular vein in the neck region, the...
Endocarditis II: Clinical Features of Infective Endocarditis01:25

Endocarditis II: Clinical Features of Infective Endocarditis

Endocarditis can present various clinical features depending on the causative organism and the patient's underlying health conditions. Initially, the clinical features of infective endocarditis develop gradually, presenting with nonspecific symptoms that can be easily mistaken for other illnesses.General SymptomsEarly symptoms of infective endocarditis are fever, chills, weakness, malaise, fatigue, and weight loss. These symptoms reflect the systemic nature of the infection and the body's...
Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies01:22

Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

The key clinical manifestations of Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) include several distinct cardiac symptoms.Carditis, a hallmark of acute rheumatic fever, involves inflammation of the heart's endocardium, myocardium, and pericardium. Chronic RHD often results from recurrent episodes of carditis. Its symptoms include the following:Murmurs are caused by valvular damage, especially to the mitral and aortic valves. Mitral stenosis or regurgitation is common, with characteristic heart murmurs...
Rheumatic Heart Disease IV: Nursing Management01:20

Rheumatic Heart Disease IV: Nursing Management

AssessmentA comprehensive assessment is essential in managing a patient with rheumatic heart disease (RHD). Begin with obtaining a detailed medical history, including recent streptococcal infections, a history of rheumatic fever, or previously diagnosed rheumatic heart disease. Assess the patient for symptoms such as fever, chest pain, widespread joint pain (arthralgia), tachycardia, pericardial friction rub, muffled heart sounds, heart murmurs, peripheral edema, subcutaneous nodules, and...
Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy01:30

Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, is a progressive myocardial disorder characterized by ventricular chamber dilation and contractile dysfunction.EtiologyVarious factors can cause DCM, including hypertension and heavy alcohol intake, which contribute to the weakening and enlargement of the heart muscle. Viral infections, such as Coxsackievirus B, adenoviruses, and influenza, can lead to DCM by causing inflammation and damage to heart tissue. Certain chemotherapeutic agents, including daunorubicin,...