Case report

Imaging of pericardial tumours: a case report

Lindsey Tilling , Lucy Hudsmith , Jonathan Goldman and Harald Becher

The John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK

author email corresponding author email

Cardiovascular Ultrasound 2006, 4:29doi:10.1186/1476-7120-4-29

Published:	18 July 2006

Abstract

Background

Pericardial tumours are unusual and may be difficult to characterise with imaging. They manifest as large, non-contractile, solid masses within the pericardium. Presenting symptoms include heart failure, arrythmias, sudden death, cyanosis and chest pain.

Case presentation

We describe a case of massive pericardial fibroma in a 52 year old woman, who presented with palpitations only.

Conclusion

We illustrate the different imaging modalities available to image this tumour prior to surgical resection, and indicate the strengths and weaknesses of each.