Key result
CMR reveals an apparent large LA mass on TTE is actually a compressing hiatus hernia.
Why the study?
Gastrointestinal pathology such as hiatus hernia can simulate cardiac symptoms and masses on echocardiography, complicating differential diagnosis of left atrial masses.
Case Report (n=1)
A hiatus hernia can compress the left atrium and simulate an intra-cardiac mass on transthoracic echocardiography, highlighting the value of cardiac MRI for further assessment.
Consider hiatus hernia in apparent LA masses on TTE; leaves open the role of CMR confirmation in atypical findings.
Hiatus hernia is a common medical condition. An elderly woman being investigated for dyspnoea of unknown aetiology had a transthoracic echocardiogram as part of her investigations. This alarmingly demonstrated a large left atrial mass. Further assessment with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging revealed a large hiatus hernia compressing the left atrium and no intra-cardiac mass. The case succinctly highlights gastrointestinal pathology simulating cardiac symptoms and masses.
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Dhutia et al. (2014) conducted a case report in Hiatus hernia mimicking a left atrial mass (n=1). Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging was evaluated. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging revealed that an apparent large left atrial mass on transthoracic echocardiography was actually a large hiatus hernia compressing the left atrium.
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