title: Giant Cardiac Lipoma: Refined Hypothesis Proposes Invagination from Extracardiac to Intracardiac Sites.
abstract: Cardiac lipomas are rare and usually present as benign, encapsulated masses outside the heart; however, they can also be found within the atria. No single theory-including molecular genetic mutation-adequately explains why this occurs. Extensive career experience and broadened knowledge in embryology and cardiac physiology have helped us to develop a hypothesis based on invagination of extracardiac tumors. This report describes a vexing case of a giant right atrial lipoma, from 1985, in which the diagnosis was made incidentally during management of a patient's acute limb ischemia. In addition, we discuss the imaging and treatment of cardiac lipoma.
authors: W Gerald
authors: WG
authors: Rainer
authors: David J
authors: DJ
authors: Bailey
authors: Harris W
authors: HW
authors: Hollis
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D005260:Female; D006338:Heart Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D033162:Incidental Findings; D008067:Lipoma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D047368:Tumor Burden
keywords: Diagnostic imaging/methods; heart atria/pathology; heart neoplasms/diagnosis; incidental findings; lipoma/diagnosis/pathology/surgery/ultrasonography; models, cardiovascular; rare diseases