Prominent crista terminalis mimicking a right atrial mass: case report.
The crista terminalis is a normal anatomical structure within the right atrium that is not normally visualised in the standard views obtained while performing a transthoracic echocardiogram. In this case report, transthoracic echocardiography suggested the presence of a right atrial mass in a patient with end stage renal disease. However, subsequent transesophageal echocardiography revealed that the right atrial mass was actually a thick muscular bridge in the right atrium consistent with a prominent crista terminalis. An understanding of the anatomy and the echocardiographic appearance of a prominent crista terminalis will minimize the misdiagnosis of this structure avoiding unnecessary expensive additional tests.
Institute of Cardiac Sciences, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. asalustri@skmc.gov.ae
Alessandro
A
Salustri
Sherif
S
Bakir
Amer
A
Sana
Peter
P
Lange
Wael Abdulrahman
WA
Al Mahmeed
D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D005260:Female; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006338:Heart Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans