What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Case Report. Population: Isolated cardiac sarcoidosis (n=1). Intervention: Corticosteroid therapy. Primary outcome: Clinical and imaging improvement.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To present a unique case of isolated cardiac sarcoidosis that mimics malignancy and emphasize the importance of multimodal imaging and histological diagnosis.

May 14, 2026European Heart Journal - Case ReportsOpen Access

Isolated cardiac sarcoidosis presenting as tumor-like multiple cardiac masses with massive pericardial effusion

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Key result

Corticosteroids rapidly improve clinical and imaging findings in a case of tumor-like isolated cardiac sarcoidosis.

Key Points

To present a unique case of isolated cardiac sarcoidosis that mimics malignancy and emphasize the importance of multimodal imaging and histological diagnosis.
Detailed patient history and physical examination revealing dysphagia and palpitations.
Utilization of electrocardiography, imaging (FDG-PET, MRI), and endomyocardial biopsy for diagnosis.
Treatment with corticosteroids leading to clinical and radiological improvement.
Electrocardiography revealed first-degree atrioventricular block.
Imaging showed massive pericardial effusion and tumor-like masses, confirmed by biopsy as non-caseating granulomas.
Corticosteroid therapy resulted in rapid clinical recovery and resolution of imaging findings.

Study Design

Type

Case Report (n=1)

Structured PICO

Population

A 30-year-old man presenting with progressive dysphagia, palpitations, first-degree atrioventricular block, massive pericardial effusion, and tumor-like intracardiac masses involving the aortic root and interatrial septum.

Intervention

Pericardial drainage and corticosteroid therapy

Outcome

Clinical and imaging improvement

Isolated cardiac sarcoidosis can present as tumor-like masses mimicking malignancy, highlighting the importance of multimodality imaging and histological confirmation for accurate diagnosis and management.

Implication

Corticosteroids may yield rapid remission in tumor-mimicking cardiac sarcoidosis; leaves open need for prospective trials before routine adoption.

Abstract

A 30-year-old man presented with progressive dysphagia and palpitations. Electrocardiography showed first-degree atrioventricular block. Imaging revealed massive pericardial effusion and tumor-like intracardiac masses involving the aortic root and interatrial septum. Cardiac tamponade required drainage. FDG-PET demonstrated uptake confined to the heart, and cardiac magnetic resonance showed myocardial edema with limited late gadolinium enhancement. Endomyocardial biopsy revealed non-caseating granulomas, establishing the diagnosis of isolated cardiac sarcoidosis. Corticosteroid therapy led to rapid clinical and imaging improvement. This case illustrates that isolated cardiac sarcoidosis can mimic malignancy and requires multimodality imaging with histological confirmation.

Discussion

No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.

Figures from the paper

Published by European Heart Journal - Case Reports · CC BY

Cite This Study

Yamada et al. (2026) conducted a case report in Isolated cardiac sarcoidosis (n=1). Corticosteroid therapy was evaluated on Clinical and imaging improvement. Corticosteroid therapy led to rapid clinical and imaging improvement in a 30-year-old man with isolated cardiac sarcoidosis presenting as tumor-like cardiac masses.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a056795a550a87e60a1fb30 https://doi.org/10.1093/ehjcr/ytag333

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Implication

Corticosteroids may yield rapid remission in tumor-mimicking cardiac sarcoidosis; leaves open need for prospective trials before routine adoption.

Isolated cardiac sarcoidosis presenting as tumor-like multiple cardiac masses with massive pericardial effusion

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Figures from the paper

Cite This Study

Isolated cardiac sarcoidosis presenting as tumor-like multiple cardiac masses with massive pericardial effusion

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Figures from the paper

Cite This Study

Keep reading

Keep reading