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Updated: Nov 9, 2025
Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: February 26, 2013
[Cavernous Hemangioma Originating in the Left Atrial Appendage:Report of a Case]
Tatsuya Suzuki1, Hiroaki Uchida, Shinji Fukuhara
1Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Osaka Medical College, Takatsuki, Japan.
Insights
A rare cavernous hemangioma originating from the left atrial appendage was successfully surgically removed. This cardiac tumor showed no recurrence four years post-operation, highlighting effective treatment for pericardial masses.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Surgical Oncology
- Pathology
Background:
- Pericardial masses can present diagnostic challenges, with varied origins and potential for malignancy.
- Early detection and accurate characterization are crucial for effective management of cardiac and pericardial tumors.
Observation:
- A 66-year-old male presented with an abnormal chest X-ray, leading to CT and MRI scans.
- Imaging revealed a 5 cm solitary pericardial mass in the left atrioventricular groove, suspected to be of cardiac origin due to its clear boundary with the pericardium.
Findings:
- Surgical exploration identified the mass originating from the left atrial appendage.
- Histopathological diagnosis confirmed the tumor as a cavernous hemangioma, a benign vascular tumor.
- Complete excision was achieved with a left atrial cuff under cardiopulmonary bypass.
Implications:
- This case demonstrates the successful surgical management of a rare left atrial appendage cavernous hemangioma.
- Complete resection appears to be an effective long-term treatment strategy for such cardiac tumors.
- Highlights the importance of advanced imaging and surgical intervention in diagnosing and treating cardiac masses.
Abstract:
A 66-year-old male with hypertension was referred for evaluation of abnormal find chest X-ray. A computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a solitary pericardial mass with a diameter of 5 cm, located in the left atrioventricular groove. It showed solid but unevenly enhanced contents suggesting a well vascularized tumor originating in either a part of the left heart or the pericardium. As magnetic resonance imaging showed a clear boundary between the tumor and the pericardium, cardiac origin was suspected. Surgical removal of the tumor was performed via median sternotomy. The tumor originated from the lateral aspect of the left atrial appendage, having a base of 10 mm in diameter. The tumor was fully excised with an associated left atrial cuff under cardiopulmonary bypass. The postoperative course was uneventful. The tumor was histopathologically diagnosed as cavernous hemangioma originating in the left atrial wall. There has been no sign of recurrence for four years following surgery.
