Unexplained hemopericardium as a presenting feature of primary cardiac angiosarcoma: a case report and a review of the diagnostic dilemma

J Thorac Oncol. 2008 Jul;3(7):800-2. doi: 10.1097/JTO.0b013e31817c9282.

Abstract

This report describes a patient diagnosed with a cardiac angiosarcoma. The patient presented with cardiac tamponade. A pericardiocentesis revealed a bloody effusion, but cytology was nondiagnostic and a chest computed tomography showed only mediastinal lymphadenopathy. His pericardial effusion recurred 3 weeks later, at which time he was found to have a large right atrial mass which proved to be a cardiac angiosarcoma. This case report underscores the difficulties encountered in the diagnosis of cardiac angiosarcoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Cardiac Tamponade / etiology
  • Heart Neoplasms / complications*
  • Heart Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Heart Neoplasms / pathology
  • Hemangiosarcoma / complications*
  • Hemangiosarcoma / diagnosis
  • Hemangiosarcoma / pathology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pericardial Effusion / etiology*