An incidental finding of a calcified right-atrial mass in a young patient treated with chemotherapy 20 years ago. (14th May 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rathod, Krishnaraj Sinhji; Westwood, Mark; Uppal, Rakesh; Deaner, Andrew
• Is Part Of: BMJ case reports. Volume 2014
• Publication Date: 2014-05-14
• Subjects: Medicine -- Case studies -- Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2014-203564
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1757-790X

Abstract

Abstract : We describe a case of a young woman presenting with lethargy and pleuritic chest pain. She had a medical history of leukaemia treated successfully 20 years ago with chemotherapy via a long line. Although initial investigations suggested a diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE; on CT pulmonary angiogram (CTPA)) and a possible thrombus in the right atrium, her symptoms appeared out of proportion in relation to this diagnosis. Further imaging using transthoracic echocardiography suggested the presence of a calcified mass in the right atrium. She underwent successful surgical resection of the mass which was found to be attached to the lateral wall of the right atrium. She made an uneventful recovery and continued on warfarin therapy for 6 months in view of the diagnosis of PE on CTPA. We believe the calcified mass was probably caused by the presence of a long line at the time of her chemotherapy.