A rare cardiac haemangioma in the right ventricle diagnosed accurately using ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Oncology
• Radiology

Background:

• Incidental detection of cardiac tumors during preoperative evaluations presents diagnostic challenges.
• Distinguishing between benign and malignant cardiac masses is crucial for appropriate management.

Observation:

• A 61-year-old male undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) evaluation incidentally had a right ventricular cardiac tumor detected.
• Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed differential diagnoses including myxoma, hemangioma, and hemangiosarcoma, complicating benign vs. malignant determination.

Findings:

• (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography indicated a benign tumor.
• Intraoperative frozen section analysis also suggested a benign origin, leading to tumor enucleation.
• Post-resection histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis confirmed a cavernous hemangioma, with no malignant tissue identified.

Implications:

• Positron emission tomography and intraoperative frozen sections can aid in the preoperative diagnosis of cardiac tumors.
• Successful surgical management of benign cardiac hemangiomas is achievable.
• This case highlights the importance of comprehensive diagnostic workup for incidentally detected cardiac masses.