Right atrial mass in patient undergoing chemotherapy.
A 58-year-old lady, with a Hickman line in situ for chemotherapy for invasive ductal breast carcinoma, presented with fever. Blood cultures grew coagulase negative staphylococci. Transoesophageal echocardiography revealed a mass in the right atrium in the region of the Eustachian apparatus. The Hickman line was removed and the patient was treated for right-sided endocarditis. However, the mass persisted after prolonged intravenous antibiotics and a decision was made to remove it surgically. Histology revealed organised thrombus. The differential investigation of a right atrial mass in this position is discussed.
Department of Medicine for the Elderly, Conquest Hospital, The Ridge, St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex, UK.
Louise
L
Thompson
Zeeshan
Z
Khawaja
Katarzyna
K
Dickinson
Eric
E
McWilliams
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology