Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 19, 2026

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance for the Evaluation of Suspected Cardiac Thrombus: Conventional and Emerging Techniques
Published on: June 11, 2019
Inverted left atrial appendage presenting as a large left atrial mass
Maria Carmo Pereira Nunes1,2, Claudio Leo Gelape3, Renato Bráulio3
1Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena 190, Belo Horizonte, MG, 30130-100, Brazil. mcarmo@waymail.com.br.
Inverted left atrial appendage (ILAA) is a rare phenomenon. We describe a patient with mitral stenosis who presented with a homogenous mass in the left atrium, mimicking a large thrombus. The patient was sent to surgery and no thrombus was found; intraoperative examination by the surgeon revealed an ILAA. We briefly discuss the main features of this entity and also some aspects of the differential diagnosis.
Inverted left atrial appendage (ILAA) is a rare phenomenon. We describe a patient with mitral stenosis who presented with a homogenous mass in the left atrium, mimicking a large thrombus. The patient was sent to surgery and no thrombus was found; intraoperative examination by the surgeon revealed an ILAA. We briefly discuss the main features of this entity and also some aspects of the differential diagnosis.
Related Concept Videos
Mitral Stenosis II: Clinical features and Diagnostic Tests
Aortic Regurgitation II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests
Mitral Stenosis I: Introduction
Cardiac Catheterization III: Left Heart Catheterization
Mitral Valve Prolapse I: Introduction
Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

