Primary Cardiac Lymphoma: Echocardiography and F‐18‐Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography in Selection of a Biopsy Site

Abstract

A 63-year-old man was referred to our hospital because of a cardiac tumor. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed a rough, mobile tumor in the dilated right atrium, and transesophageal echocardiography showed that the tumor consisted of small, botryoidal masses. Catheter-based biopsy carried a high risk of embolism. Therefore, we used F-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET), which revealed an abnormal accumulation in the right cervical lymph nodes, as well as in the heart. We safely performed biopsy of the lymph nodes and diagnosed the patient with primary cardiac lymphoma. We concluded that echocardiography and FDG-PET are useful for selecting an appropriate biopsy site in primary cardiac lymphoma.

Fluorine-18-FDG PET/CT finding of cardiac lymphoma -a case report

“…Although definitive diagnosis should be based on pathological examination, it is often difficult to perform biopsy in poorly general condition. FDG-PET is a useful imaging modality to diagnose the degree of malignancy and select an appropriate biopsy site not to develop complications [8].…”

Primary Cardiac Lymphoma Presenting as an Atypical Type of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

“…Typically, PCL presents as an undefined mass in the right atrium that grows in the cavity with or without infiltration to adjacent areas . Extension to the vena cava with intraluminal thrombosis may be observed, but left atrial and ventricular involvement is very rare.…”