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

Medicine (Baltimore). 2018 Aug;97(31):e11436. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000011436.

Abstract

Rationale: 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.

Patient concerns: 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.

Diagnoses: The patient was diagnosed as left ventricular lipoma using echocardiography.

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

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

Lessons: 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.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Female
  • Heart Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Heart Neoplasms / pathology
  • Heart Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Heart Ventricles
  • Humans
  • Lipoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Lipoma / pathology
  • Lipoma / surgery*
  • Sternotomy*
  • Thoracoscopy*