Echocardiographic manifestation of hiatus hernia simulating a left atrial mass: case report.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Despite the high prevalence of hiatus hernia, a relatively small number of echocardiographically manifested cases have been reported. CASE PRESENTATION: An 82-year old woman presented with acute retrosternal pain indicative of cardiac etiology. Physical examination and biochemical tests, as well as 12-lead electrocardiogram, were normal. A two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiogram was performed and revealed a structure that was considered to represent a left atrial mass. A subsequent computed tomography scan visualized a hiatus hernia in the posterior mediastinum, impinging on the posterior left atrial wall. The intrathoracic displacement of a large part of the stomach was further confirmed by an upper gastrointestinal barium examination. CONCLUSION: Hiatus hernia can present as acute chest pain, while its echocardiographic manifestation may resemble a left atrial space-occupying structure. Physicians should be aware of the clinical and sonographic findings to facilitate the differential diagnosis from similarly presenting cardiac entities.

SUBMITTER: Koskinas KC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2553061 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature