Lipoma of superior vena cava: a rare occurrence

Abstract

Most benign primary cardiac tumours are myxomas; non-myxomatous tumours are less common but comprise a wide variety. Cardiac lipoma is a rare non-myxomatous variety. A 70-year-old Caucasian woman with right breast cancer status postpartial mastectomy underwent surveillance MRI of the breast and was found to have a possible right atrial (RA) mass. She also reported frequent headaches and palpitations. She underwent a transoesophageal echocardiogram which showed a 2.6×1.6×1.6 cm echogenic mass at the superior vena cava (SVC) and RA junction. She was anticoagulated for a possible thrombus without resolution. Surgical excision was undertaken in view of ongoing symptoms and partial occlusion of the SVC. Intraoperatively, a 2-3 cm smoothly textured lobulated mass was found and histopathology showed adipose tissue consistent with lipoma. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged in stable condition.