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Inverted left atrial appendage masquerading as a cardiac mass
Ming Chern Leong1, Haifa Abdul Latiff, Chee Chin Hew
1Pediatric and Congenital Heart Center, National Heart Institute, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. mcleong@ijn.com.my
Echocardiography (Mount Kisco, N.Y.)
|November 9, 2012
Summary
An inverted left atrial appendage is a rare post-cardiac surgery finding that mimics a left atrial mass. Echocardiography can easily diagnose this condition, preventing unnecessary tests and patient anxiety.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Imaging
- Surgical Pathology
Background:
- An inverted left atrial appendage (LAA) is an uncommon complication following cardiac surgery.
- It can be misidentified as a pathological left atrial mass, leading to diagnostic uncertainty and further investigations.
Observation:
- This case report details an inverted LAA in a patient after common arterial trunk repair.
- Echocardiography was instrumental in identifying the characteristic features of the inverted LAA.
Findings:
- The inverted LAA presented as an unusual mass within the left atrium.
- Specific echocardiographic findings were crucial for accurate diagnosis and differentiation from other intra-atrial masses.
Implications:
- Increased awareness of inverted LAA among sonographers can prevent misdiagnosis.
- Echocardiography is a valuable, non-invasive tool for diagnosing post-operative inverted LAA, reducing the need for extensive testing.
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