Congenital Giant Aneurysm of the Left Atrial Appendage Mimicking Pericardial Absence

Giant left atrial appendage aneurysm: The third ventricle!

“…But transesophageal echocardiography was reported to be particularly effective for the diagnosis of left atrial appendage aneurysm, diagnose blood flow and for detection of thrombi, because it provides clear visualization of the structures around the atrium that are difficult to assess by transthoracic echocardiography [7]. We could not see orifice of the aneurysm by transthoracic echocardiography both by abnormal localization of cardiac structures and low temporal resolution of transthoracic echocardiography.…”

“…We were able to demonstrate the relationship between the left atrium and the left atrial appendage aneurysm only by transoesophageal echocardiography. Echocardiography is the first line imaging technique to detect left atrial appendage aneurysm, but cardiac multislice computed tomography (CT) and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MR) may have a role in diagnoses, further characterization and differential diagnosis of cardiac masses [7,8]. Both techniques can demonstrate cardiac masses, and recognize masses which have blood flow.…”

Asymptomatic giant congenital left atrial aneurysm

“…Congenital aneurysms of the left atrium and left atrial appendage are extremely rare, and there are only limited case reports in literature about the definition and management of the condition. 4,7 Morphologically, the genesis of the congenital left atrial appendage aneurysm has been attributed to congenital dysplasia of pectinate muscles, 1 while a congenital absence of pericardium has also been correlated with this anomaly. 4,7 The condition is frequently accompanied by mitral valve insufficiency.…”

Congenital aneurysm of the left atrial wall

“…Aneurysms of the left atrium, first described in 1938, are a rare deformity . Compared with left atrial appendage aneurysms, ALAWs are less frequent .…”