Left ventricular lipoma resected using thoracoscope-assisted limited sternotomy: A case report and literature review

A cardiac lipoma is an uncommon primary tumor, with a reported incidence ranging from 2.9% to 8% among all benign cardiac tumors. Although the prognosis in most asymptomatic cases is good during longterm follow-up, some reports have shown that untreated cardiac lipomas may be fatal when they cause arrhythmic or obstructive symptoms.

We present a rare case of left ventricular (LV) lipoma. The mass measured 25 mm 10 mm, with a pedicle on the LV posterior wall near the apex.

The patient was diagnosed as left ventricular lipoma using echocardiography.

The LV lipoma was resected using thoracoscopy-assisted limited sternotomy.

Histopathologic examination was consistent with lipoma. No signs of recurrence were detected on an echocardiogram during a 3-month follow-up period.

We performed a comprehensive review of relevant literature and summarized the known 21 cases from 1980 to 2017. LV lipoma may present with or without symptoms, and endoscopic resection may be a good alternative to open surgery.