Adherent Right Atrial Cardiac Lipoma with Obstructive Symptoms: An Unusual Case Report

Abstract

Benign cardiac tumors are rare, and cardiac lipomas constitute a small proportion. Since the majority of these lipomas vary in morphology, size, clinical presentation, and diagnosis, it is difficult to diagnose them until they become symptomatic. Management of large adherent cardiac lipomas presenting with obstructive symptoms can be challenging. It can be arduous to excise them completely, as they may involve vital structures and may sometimes need debulking only, leading to the possibility of recurring tumors. We report a case of a 60-year-old male with complaints of chest pain and dyspnea on exertion, diagnosed with a large right atrial mass, extensive involvement of the right atrial wall, and impingement on the tricuspid valve and was managed by surgical resection with a positive clinical result. This case highlights that obstructive or symptomatic cardiac lipomas can be effectively resected with favorable outcomes.

Keywords

• cardiac lipoma
• cardiac tumors
• echocardiogram