Diaphragmatic hernia mimicking an atrial mass: a two-dimensional echocardiographic pitfall and a cause of postprandial syncope.
A large hiatal hernia constitutes a form of posterior mediastinal mass that can encroach on the posterior aspects of the heart. During two-dimensional echocardiography this phenomenon may be confused with an intra-atrial mass or various other posterior mediastinal masses. Furthermore, such a large hiatal hernia encroaching on the heart may cause syncope. We present such a case and the various possible mechanisms of syncope, as well as review the two-dimensional echocardiographic pitfalls in these patients.
Ker
J
J
Department of Physiology, University of Pretoria and Pretoria Heart Hospital, Pretoria.
Van Beljon
J
J
D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000379:methods; D016145:Endoscopy, Digestive System / Q000379:methods; D018662:Fundoplication / Q000379:methods; D006325:Heart Atria; D006338:Heart Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006548:Hernia, Diaphragmatic / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019518:Postprandial Period; D013575:Syncope / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods