Multimodality Imaging of Right Atrial Lipoma

Abstract

Background: Cardiac lipomas are rare primary tumors of the heart, especially when they originate from the right atrium. They may be asymptomatic or may manifest with various nonspecific symptoms.

Case summary: Here we report a case of a giant lipoma of the right atrium in a 61-year-old woman who presented with obstructive symptoms. The tumor was diagnosed using multimodality imaging and was surgically excised.

Discussion: Cardiac lipomas are relatively rare benign primary cardiac tumors with an autopsy incidence of 0.17 to 0.19%. They have no sex predilection and may have a bimodal presentation. They can be found in any intracardiac chamber but are most commonly found in the right atrium or left ventricle. The usual approach to diagnosis requires multimodality imaging, and surgical excision is the commonly preferred modality for definitive treatment.

Take-home messages: Cardiac lipomas are now increasingly recognized in the differential diagnosis of benign cardiac tumors. They have a variable presentation, and surgical excision is treatment of choice.

Keywords: atrial; lipoma; multimodality imaging.