Primary cardiac lymphoma presenting with cardiac tamponade

Am Heart Hosp J. 2009 Winter;7(2):E125-7. doi: 10.15420/ahhj.2009.7.2.125.

Abstract

Primary cardiac lymphoma (PCL) is rare and occurs more commonly in immunocompromised patients. It can present in various ways, and diagnosis is particularly challenging, especially for the unsuspecting physician. We report a case of PCL in an immunocompetent 55-year-old man who initially presented with pyrexia of unknown origin, chest pain, dyspnea, and few early clinical signs, but who was later found to have cardiac tamponade and a large cardiac mass on echocardiography and cardiovascular magnetic resonance. A high index of suspicion is needed to diagnose PCL, and echocardiogram remains an important diagnostic tool.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Cardiac Tamponade / diagnosis*
  • Cardiac Tamponade / diagnostic imaging
  • Cardiac Tamponade / etiology
  • Chest Pain
  • Dyspnea
  • Fever of Unknown Origin
  • Gadolinium
  • Heart Neoplasms / complications
  • Heart Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Heart Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Immunocompetence
  • Lymphoma / complications
  • Lymphoma / diagnosis*
  • Lymphoma / drug therapy
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pericardial Effusion / etiology
  • Ultrasonography

Substances

  • Gadolinium