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Updated: Apr 16, 2026

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance for the Evaluation of Suspected Cardiac Thrombus: Conventional and Emerging Techniques
Published on: June 11, 2019
HIV-associated primary effusion lymphoma presenting as a paracardial mass
Heather Katz1, Cielo Rose1, Nina Thakker Rivera1
1Department of Internal Medicine, Broward Health Medical Center, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA.
Abstract:
Primary effusion lymphoma (PEL), a rare type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, is an AIDS-defining illness and always associated with human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8). Classic presentations involve the pleural, pericardial or peritoneal cavities. Infrequently, extracavitary solid tumours develop. Treatment of PEL requires chemotherapy and highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). We report a case of a 46-year-old man, who presented with right-sided chest pain, dyspnoea and night sweats. Evaluation revealed decreased breath sounds and dullness to percussion on the right side of the chest. Imaging demonstrated a 6.1 cm×6.3 cm right paracardial mass and right-sided pleural effusion. Pleural fluid was HHV-8 positive. The patient was diagnosed with PEL with extracavitary involvement and treated with chemotherapy and concurrent HAART. This case is the first reported case of extracavitary paracardial involvement and adds new insight to the accepted treatment for PEL with extracavitary lesions.
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