Cardiovasc Imaging Asia.  2020 Jan;4(1):30-33. 10.22468/cvia.2019.00164.

Cardiac Angiosarcoma Heralded by Recurrent Hemorrhagic Pericardial Effusions–Utility of MRI and CT

• Wan FF
• Lee JC
• Chiang JB
• Tsang KH
• Ho CB
• Wong EC

• KMID: 2469176
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.22468/cvia.2019.00164

Abstract

Cardiac angiosarcoma is a rare primary cardiac malignancy that should be considered in patients with recurrent pericardial effusions, especially those with spontaneous hemorrhagic pericardial effusion. A 34-year-old man presented for evaluation of pericardial effusion. Initial imaging and pericardial histopathological workup failed to provide a definitive diagnosis. Serum parvovirus B19 PCR test was positive and he was treated for viral pericarditis. In view of his recurrent hemorrhagic pericardial effusions and persistent right atrial thrombus, MRI was performed and revealed findings suggestive of cardiac angiosarcoma with lung metastases. The diagnosis was confirmed histologically. The patient's condition progressed rapidly with massive hemothorax, and although he received systemic therapy for disease control, he succumbed to the disease five months after diagnosis confirmation.

Keyword

Cardiac tumor; Angiosarcoma; Magnetic resonance imaging; Pericardial effusion

MeSH Terms

Adult
Diagnosis
Heart Neoplasms
Hemangiosarcoma*
Hemothorax
Humans
Lung
Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
Neoplasm Metastasis
Parvovirus
Pericardial Effusion
Pericarditis
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Thrombosis