Giant atrial thrombus presenting as a tumor

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Oncology
• Cardiac Surgery

Background:

• Right atrial masses can be cardiac tumors or thrombi, posing a significant health risk.
• Malignant heart tumors are more common than primary ones, with breast cancer being a frequent source of metastasis.
• Cardiac myxomas are the most common atrial tumors, but right-sided occurrences are also noted.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the diagnostic challenges in differentiating right atrial masses.
• To present a case where a suspected tumor was found to be a giant organized thrombus.
• To emphasize the preferred treatment for giant atrial thrombi.

Main Methods:

• Case presentation of a 45-year-old woman with a history of breast cancer.
• Diagnostic imaging including Echocardiography and Computed Tomography.
• Surgical intervention for definitive diagnosis and treatment.

Main Results:

• Imaging suggested a right atrial tumor, but surgery revealed a giant organized thrombus.
• The patient's history of breast cancer complicated the initial diagnostic considerations.
• Distinguishing between thrombus and tumor remains a challenge despite advanced imaging.

Conclusions:

• Giant atrial thrombi require surgical removal as the treatment of choice.
• Clinical presentation of right atrial masses can mimic tricuspid stenosis.
• Accurate differentiation between thrombus and tumor is crucial for appropriate therapeutic decisions.