Food Bolus Masquerading as a Cardiac Mass on Echocardiogram

Abstract

An echocardiogram is the most utilized imaging modality in the evaluation of patients with intracardiac masses. Of these, left atrial myxomas are the most common intracardiac tumors in which diagnostic recognition is important for appropriate management. This paper demonstrates a case study on how a proper physical exam along with proper imaging modalities may result in avoiding misdiagnosing patients with large sliding hiatal hernias who present with the complaint of chest pain. This case reveals a food bolus within a sliding hiatal hernia masquerading as an intracardiac mass. Cardiac masses can potentially be misdiagnosed using transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). While transthoracic echocardiography is uniquely resourceful as a point-of-care modality, it can be challenging to confirm whether an identified mass is attached to the myocardium or other cardiac or intrathoracic structures. The patient exhibited symptoms compatible with a cardiac mass. Primarily, the physical examination is vital in determining whether the patient should be referred for additional diagnostic modalities to assess for a cardiac mass. Auscultation of bowel sounds on the cardiac examination is consistent with a suspected hiatal hernia.