Prominent crista terminalis mimicking a right atrial mass: case report

Cardiovasc Ultrasound. 2010 Oct 19:8:47. doi: 10.1186/1476-7120-8-47.

Abstract

The crista terminalis is a normal anatomical structure within the right atrium that is not normally visualised in the standard views obtained while performing a transthoracic echocardiogram. In this case report, transthoracic echocardiography suggested the presence of a right atrial mass in a patient with end stage renal disease. However, subsequent transesophageal echocardiography revealed that the right atrial mass was actually a thick muscular bridge in the right atrium consistent with a prominent crista terminalis. An understanding of the anatomy and the echocardiographic appearance of a prominent crista terminalis will minimize the misdiagnosis of this structure avoiding unnecessary expensive additional tests.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Echocardiography, Transesophageal*
  • Female
  • Heart Atria / abnormalities*
  • Heart Atria / diagnostic imaging*
  • Heart Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Humans