A giant left atrial mass-Clinical treatment dilemma

Echocardiography. 2019 Jun;36(6):1200-1202. doi: 10.1111/echo.14367. Epub 2019 May 22.

Abstract

A 74-year-old female current 75 pack-year smoker presented with shortness of breath and mild hemoptysis. Chest computed tomography showed a large right upper lobe mass compressing the superior vena cava, invading the right pulmonary veins, and occupying the majority of the left atrium. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed a 13 mm right parietal lesion with surrounding edema consistent with metastasis. A 3D TEE showed a large mobile mass in the left atrium. Bronchoscopy confirmed that the tumor mass was consistent with a moderately to poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. She underwent chemotherapy, radiation, and immune therapy. She was also started on warfarin for anticoagulation after the initial chemotherapy with resolution of the left atrial mass. We feel that the patient most likely had carcinogenic thrombus in the pulmonary veins and left atrium.

Keywords: TEE; cardiac tumor; left atrial mass; malignancy; pulmonary vein; three dimensional echocardiography.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Anticoagulants / therapeutic use
  • Brain / diagnostic imaging
  • Brain Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Brain Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Brain Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Bronchoscopy
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / diagnostic imaging*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / therapy
  • Echocardiography, Three-Dimensional / methods*
  • Echocardiography, Transesophageal / methods*
  • Female
  • Heart Atria / diagnostic imaging
  • Heart Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Heart Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Heart Neoplasms / therapy
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods
  • Warfarin

Substances

  • Anticoagulants
  • Warfarin