title: Inverted left atrial appendage masquerading as a cardiac mass.
abstract: An inverted left atrial appendage is a rare phenomenon post cardiac surgery. The lesion presents as an additional mass in the left atrium, which would trigger unnecessary concerns and frequently, a battery of tests. The lesion can be easily diagnosed using echocardiography. We report a case of inverted left atrial appendage in a patient post repair of common arterial trunk. Echocardiographic pictures and features which help to identify this lesion as well as to differentiate it from other possible left atrial mass are described. This article aimed to improve the awareness of sonographers toward this rare but possible post operative lesion.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric and Congenital Heart Center, National Heart Institute, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. mcleong@ijn.com.my
authors.forename: Ming Chern
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Leong
authors.forename: Haifa Abdul
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Latiff
authors.forename: Chee Chin
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Hew
authors.forename: Siti Laura
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Mazlan
authors.forename: Hanif
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Osman
mesh_terms: D020517:Atrial Appendage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal / Q000379:methods*; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D006338:Heart Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D006343:Heart Septal Defects / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007432:Intraoperative Period; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications