Giant congenital intrapericardial left atrial aneurysm diagnosed by contrast-enhanced computed tomography

Abstract

A left atrial aneurysm is a rare cardiac anomaly. The etiology is usually congenital, but it can also occur as an acquired pathology secondary to mitral valve disease or a degenerative process. We report a case which, on routine PA chest radiography, presented as cardiomegaly with a bulge on the left cardiac contour. Further evaluation by contrast-enhanced computed tomography proved it to be caused by a large left atrial aneurysm.

Left Atrial Appendage Aneurysm with Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation

“…TTE is usually a favorable and noninvasive diagnostic method [Sigfusson 1997]. Color-flow Doppler TTE can also identify blood exchange between the 2 chambers [Taori 2006]. In our case, TTE was important for the diagnosis; it revealed a large echo-free space adjacent to the left atrium.…”

“…In our case, TTE was important for the diagnosis; it revealed a large echo-free space adjacent to the left atrium. Contrast-enhanced CT is also an effective diagnostic method [Taori 2006]. Furthermore, the anatomy involving the aneurysm and neighboring structures can be investigated via CT.…”

A Novel Technique of Repair of Congenital Left Atrial Appendage Aneurysm using Bovine Pericardial Patch

“…Other imaging studies such as radionuclide scintiscanning, contrast computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computerised tomographic angiography and angiocardiography will help confirm the diagnosis and eliminate other pathologic conditions such as cardiac or mediastinal tumors, pericardial cysts, acquired left atrial enlargement secondary to mitral valvular disease, left atrial herniation in the presence of pericardial defect and anomalous pulmonary venous drainage [38]. Angiography requires trans-septal structure and may not detect a left atrial appendage aneurysm filled with thrombus [3,30,[39][40][41]. Cardiac MRI has the highest temporal resolution, making it the optimal approach for assessing the surrounding structures and cardiac anomalies.…”

Anévrysme congénital géant intra péricardique de l’auricule gauche: à propos d’un cas avec revue de la littérature

“…Actuellement, le diagnostic repose sur les progrès de l’imagerie basée sur différentes techniques d'imagerie non invasives telles que l’échocardiographie, l’échographie anténatale, le scanner ainsi que l’IRM cardiaques [ 8 ]. La radiographie thoracique montre souvent un élargissement de l’arc moyen gauche du cœur, faisant suspecter une anomalie auriculaire gauche [ 1 ].…”

“…Il peut se produire soit secondairement à une maladie de la valve mitrale ou un processus dégénératif de la paroi atriale. Lorsqu’il est congénital, la plupart des cas sont asymptomatiques dans l'enfance [ 1 ]. Les patients peuvent présenter une variété de symptômes à l’âge adulte, les plus fréquents étant l'apparition d'une dyspnée, une arythmie et tachycardie auriculaire, rarement une douleur thoracique supra ventriculaire, ou des signes d’embolie systémique [ 2 ].…”