A Giant Calcified Amorphous Tumor in the Left Ventricle Presenting with Dyspnea

Abstract

Introduction: Calcified amorphous tumor (CAT) is a non-neoplastic cardiac tumor, frequently presenting as a a mass with variable sizes. Scare cases of this phenomenon have been reported so far, so its natural history and therapeutic options are still unclear. In fact, CAT diagnosing relies on pathological findings where a definite diagnosis is not reachable until the mass is removed. So, CAT is a retrospectively diagnosed following surgical intervention. Case Presentation: A 72-year-old man was referred for evaluation due to complaints of dyspnea. Initial coronary examinations yielded normal findings. In echocardiography, a 56 × 34 mm mass was seen in the posterior left ventricle wall, along with severe mitral stenosis and moderate to severe mitral regurgitation. The patient subsequently underwent cardiac surgery, during which the mass was completely removed through the left atrium and mitral valve. Then the patient underwent biological heart valve replacement. Post-surgery echocardiography demonstrated the absence of any residual mass, and no complications were reported during the six months follow-up period. Conclusions: The symptoms and complications of CAT during imaging manifest as a calcified mass. Due to the diagnostic reliance on pathological evidence, surgical treatment is the preferred option for excluding any malignancy and resolve and prevent further complications. Follow-up with echocardiography is advised for monitoring.