Epicardial lipoma-a rare differential diagnosis in cardiovascular medicine

Abstract

Cardiac lipomas are benign tumours that represent an uncommon cause of chest discomfort. We report the case of a 52-year-old woman who was admitted to our institution with a mediastinal mass. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scans revealed an intrapericardial mass mainly located around the left atrium/left ventricle. After midline sternotomy, the pericardial mass was entirely resected after luxating the heart into the right pleural space. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of two intrapericardial lipomas with a total weight of 122g. © The Author 2011. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.