Cystic lymphangioma of the heart mimicking a mediastinal tumor

Abstract

Primary cardiac tumors are rare and myxomas are the most frequent. Cystic lymphangiomas are most often of cervicomediastinal locations and are exceedingly rare in the mediastinum. Cystic lymphangioma involving the heart has never been reported. We report a case of cystic lymphangioma involving the posterior wall of left atrium mimicking a mediastinal tumor. Complete resection was performed via a median sternotomy under cardiopulmonary bypass and cardiac arrest after transection of the aorta and pulmonary trunk.