Cystic left ventricular mass: the utility of transthoracic echocardiography and cardiac MRI

Abstract

Accurate identification of left ventricular masses (LVM) can be challenging, and if incorrect, may have devastating consequences. While transthoracic echocardiography is often the first test to identify intracardiac masses, cardiac MRI (CMRI) allows for better anatomical definition and tissue characterisation. We present a case of a 51-year-old man who presented with 4 weeks of shortness of breath, found on echocardiogram to have severely reduced LV function and a 2.5×4.0 cm LVM with a hypolucent/cystic core. Due to the unusual appearance, CMRI was required for confirmation of an LV thrombus. This case highlights the importance of multimodality imaging in the discovery and identification of LVM.

Keywords: cardiovascular medicine; heart failure; venous thromboembolism.