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Bajwa F, Koenig G, Hegab S, Parikh S, Ananthasubramaniam K. A Case series of epicardial lipomatosis masquerading as extracardiac pathology on echocardiography: Role of multimodality imaging in clarifying misdiagnosis. CASE (Phila) 2020; 4: 389-392.

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Article

Excess Epicardial Fat Mimicking a Pericardial Tumor in a Patient with Pericardial Effusion

1Department Cardiology, Yuai Medical Center, Tomigusuku, Okinawa Japan


American Journal of Medical Case Reports. 2022, Vol. 10 No. 4, 98-100
DOI: 10.12691/ajmcr-10-4-4
Copyright © 2022 Science and Education Publishing

Cite this paper:
Kazuhito Hirata, Kageyuki Ohba, Minetaka Maeda, Tomohiro Arakaki, Kensaku Ozato, Atsushi Kakazu, Yurika Ikemura, Masaaki Sakumoto, Masanori Kakazu, Osamu Arasaki. Excess Epicardial Fat Mimicking a Pericardial Tumor in a Patient with Pericardial Effusion. American Journal of Medical Case Reports. 2022; 10(4):98-100. doi: 10.12691/ajmcr-10-4-4.

Correspondence to: Kazuhito  Hirata, Department Cardiology, Yuai Medical Center, Tomigusuku, Okinawa Japan. Email: kheart911@yahoo.co.jp

Abstract

A mass-like lesion in the posterior atrioventricular groove and moderate pericardial effusion were incidentally observed during evaluation of fever in a woman in her 80s. Initially, a pericardial tumor was suspected. However, computed tomography revealed no mass lesions. Instead, low-density lesions were observed in the atrioventricular groove, interventricular groove, and around the great arteries, consistent with excess epicardial fat. Tissue characterization by computed tomography and the typical distribution consistent with fat deposits were key in diagnosis. Physicians should be aware that excess epicardial fat may be mistaken as a pericardial tumor, especially in the presence of pericardial effusion.

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