Primary cardiac lymphoma and cardiac imaging-A case report of three
cases with review of literature
Abstract
Primary cardiac lymphoma is an extranodal non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
exclusively located in the heart and/or pericardium, rare in
immunocompetent patients, and more frequent in immunocompromised
patients. We present 3 cases of primary cardiac lymphoma in
immunocompetent patients and review other cases reported in the
literature. Two patients were adults and third patient a child. Two
patients presented with pericardial tamponade and third case with CHB.
Initial diagnosis of tumor was made in all cases by transthoracic
echocardiography. Primary cardiac lymphoma arose in right heart chambers
in all cases. Histological diagnosis was diffuse T cell lymphoblastic
lymphoma in child and diffuse large B cell lymphoma in adult cases. All
three cases received chemotherapy, combined with radiotherapy in one
patient. Of our patients, 2 are alive one (child)is asymptomatic ,I
adult female died after 3rd chemo cycle and 1 adult male had relapse
after 6 months of diagnosis. In conclusion, diagnosis of primary cardiac
lymphoma is difficult due to non-specific clinical manifestations and
should be considered in patients with a cardiac mass and pericardial
effusion. It is confirmed using transthoracic echocardiography and
magnetic resonance imaging and certified using cytology or open biopsy.
Although prognosis remains poor timely provided chemotherapy may be
effective.