Tumor encasement of the heart simulating pericardial effusion.
A 56-year-old woman with breast carcinoma was referred for an urgent two-dimensional echocardiogram. An anterior and posterior echo-free space suggesting pericardial effusion and a new right atrial mass were detected. A few hours later the patient died suddenly. Necropsy revealed neoplastic encasement of the heart without pericardial effusion.
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000473:pathology; D006338:Heart Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary*; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000473:pathology*; D010496:Pericardium / Q000473:pathology