Hemangioendothelioma of the right atrial appendage associated with pericardial effusion in an infant.

BACKGROUND

Cardiac hemangioma is a rare cause for pericardial effusion. We present a case of hemangioendothelioma of the right atrial appendage associated with pericardial effusion in an infant.

METHODS

The patient was a 49-day-old infant transferred to our department because of the presence of pericardial effusion. Two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography revealed moderate pericardial effusion and a 24 mm × 16 mm hypoechoic mass located on the right side of the right ventricular outflow tract and in front of the aorta.

RESULTS

The infant underwent an exploratory median sternotomy. In the pericardial cavity, 120 mL transudate was observed. A 15 mm × 15 mm encapsulated mass of soft tissue was located in the pericardial cavity and involved the right atrial appendage. The tumor with right atrial appendage was completely removed. Pathological examination revealed wide sessile implant basis of the tumor into the the myocardium of the right atrial appendage, with no affection to the endocardium. Hemangioendothelioma was confirmed histopathologically. Echocardiographic examination 2 years after operation revealed that the infant was free from tumor recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

Pericardial effusion may be caused by hemangioma of the right atrial appendage. The diagnosis of cardiac hemangioma is based on imaging examination and histopathological studies.