ABSTRACT
Cardiac myxoma is the most frequently encountered primary neoplasm of the heart; however, other tumefactive lesions can share similar radiologic features. We present briefly the case of a 69-year-old man incidentally found to have a mobile right atrial mass that based on initial radiologic findings was considered to represent a myxoma. After pathologic examination, the lesion was determined instead to be a cardiac varix: an endocardial, blood filled cystic space lined by endothelium and considered to represent a dilated vein.
Subject(s)
Coronary Vessels/pathology , Heart Diseases/pathology , Heart Neoplasms/pathology , Myxoma/pathology , Varicose Veins/pathology , Aged , Biopsy , Coronary Vessels/diagnostic imaging , Coronary Vessels/surgery , Diagnostic Errors , Dilatation, Pathologic , Echocardiography, Transesophageal , Heart Diseases/diagnostic imaging , Heart Diseases/surgery , Heart Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Humans , Male , Myxoma/diagnostic imaging , Predictive Value of Tests , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Varicose Veins/diagnostic imaging , Varicose Veins/surgeryABSTRACT
Most primary cardiac tumors are benign neoplasms, which generally can be differentiated from malignant neoplasms via certain radiological features. We present briefly a case of a 26-year-old man undergoing resection of a right atrial mass that based on preceding radiologic findings represent a myxoma. After pathologic examination, the lesion was determined to be an epithelioid angiosarcoma with unique frond-like architecture and multiple pedicular attachments to the atrial wall.
Subject(s)
Epithelioid Cells , Heart Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Hemangiosarcoma/diagnostic imaging , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Myxoma/diagnostic imaging , Adult , Biomarkers, Tumor/analysis , Biopsy , Diagnostic Errors , Epithelioid Cells/chemistry , Epithelioid Cells/pathology , Heart Neoplasms/chemistry , Heart Neoplasms/pathology , Heart Neoplasms/surgery , Hemangiosarcoma/chemistry , Hemangiosarcoma/pathology , Hemangiosarcoma/surgery , Humans , Immunohistochemistry , Male , Myxoma/pathology , Predictive Value of TestsSubject(s)
Delayed Diagnosis/mortality , Ischemic Attack, Transient/diagnosis , Seizures/drug therapy , Stroke/diagnosis , Child, Preschool , Diagnosis, Differential , Emergency Service, Hospital , Fatal Outcome , Female , Humans , Ischemic Attack, Transient/therapy , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Narration , Recurrence , Risk Assessment , Seizures/diagnostic imaging , Stroke/therapyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Cerebrospinal fluid diversion through lumbar drainage catheters is a routine procedure that is used in a variety of clinical applications. Fracture of catheters during insertion or removal may result in retained foreign bodies that may lead to patient morbidity with potential legal ramifications. Fracture resistance is an important component of drain selection. OBJECTIVE: To analyze catheter integrity to determine which commercially available catheters are most robust and resistant to fracture. METHODS: Physical properties of the commercially available drainage catheters that can be advanced through a Touhy needle were assessed using laboratory equipment and reported. Five types of catheter were analyzed for break load, tensile strength, extension at break, and shear strength. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Of the five types of catheter, the Arrow catheter showed the greatest resistance to fracture. Of the drainage catheters, the Codman catheter showed the greatest resistance to fracture.
