Key result
Surgical excision of a hypervascular pericardial mass confirms hemangioma with no recurrence at 3 months.
Why the study?
Pericardial hemangiomas are rare benign tumors that present with variable symptoms and mimic other cardiac masses, requiring awareness and an organized diagnostic approach.
Case Report (n=1)
This case highlights the importance of multimodal imaging and surgical resection for definitive diagnosis and treatment of ambiguous hypervascular pericardial masses.
Supports multimodal imaging and resection for ambiguous pericardial masses; leaves open generalizability beyond this single case.
BACKGROUND: Pericardial hemangiomas are rare benign tumors that may present with variable symptoms and mimic other cardiac masses. Awareness of this entity and an organized diagnostic approach are critical. CASE SUMMARY: A 57-year-old man presented with positional chest pain. Coronary computed tomography angiography demonstrated a hypervascular pericardial mass. Cardiac magnetic resonance characterized the lesion as an epicardial tumor contiguous with the visceral pericardium, with suspicion for an intrapericardial paraganglioma. However, DOTATATE positron emission tomography/computed tomography and plasma catecholamines were normal. The patient underwent surgical excision, and histopathology analysis confirmed pericardial hemangioma. He was without recurrence at the 3-month follow-up. DISCUSSION: This case illustrates the diagnostic discordance between computed tomography and cardiac magnetic resonance in evaluating hypervascular pericardial masses and underscores the need for multimodal imaging, functional testing, and histopathological confirmation. TAKE-HOME MESSAGES: Pericardial masses with persisting diagnostic ambiguity after noninvasive imaging should prompt surgical resection for definitive diagnosis and treatment. Early surgical resection yields excellent outcomes, with cardiologists playing an essential role in recognizing the condition, guiding diagnostic work-up, and managing perioperative care.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Azees et al. (2026) conducted a case report in Pericardial hemangioma (n=1). Surgical excision was evaluated. Surgical excision of an ambiguous hypervascular pericardial mass in a 57-year-old man confirmed a pericardial hemangioma, with 0 recurrences at the 3-month follow-up.