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Cardiac Magnetic Resonance for the Evaluation of Suspected Cardiac Thrombus: Conventional and Emerging Techniques
Published on: June 11, 2019
Malignant lymphoma with diffuse cardiac involvement detected by multiple imaging examinations: a case report
Toshiji Ishiwata1, Norihiro Harada, Ryo Ko
1Department of Respiratory Medicine, Juntendo University School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan. watta@juntendo.ac.jp.
Journal of Medical Case Reports
|July 12, 2012
Summary
Malignant lymphoma can present as congestive heart failure. Advanced imaging detected diffuse cardiac involvement, aiding diagnosis in a critically ill patient with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Oncology
- Pathology
Background:
- Cardiac involvement in malignant lymphoma is typically a late, focal finding.
- This case highlights an unusual initial presentation of lymphoma as congestive heart failure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a rare case of malignant lymphoma presenting initially with congestive heart failure.
- To emphasize the utility of advanced imaging in diagnosing diffuse cardiac lymphoma in compromised patients.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a 71-year-old woman with lymphoma initially presenting as heart failure.
- Utilized echocardiography, CT with 3D reconstruction, and gallium scintigraphy for diagnosis.
- Autopsy and histological examination confirmed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.
Main Results:
- The patient's lymphoma manifested as diffuse cardiac infiltration, not focal nodules.
- Imaging techniques successfully identified widespread cardiac involvement antemortem.
- Autopsy confirmed lymphoid cells infiltrating the ventricular wall and endocardium.
Conclusions:
- Malignant lymphoma can present atypically with cardiac dysfunction.
- Multimodal imaging is crucial for diagnosing diffuse cardiac lymphoma in unstable patients.
- Early diagnosis via imaging can guide empirical treatment in critical cases.
