Splanchnectopia Accompanied With Atrial Septal Defect: A Case Report

Abstract

Splanchnetopia accompanied with atrial septal defect is a rare congenital malformation clinically. Recent studies show that the patients are susceptible to lung disease. We present a case of a 62-year-old man who presented to our hospital with cough, palpitation and short of breath after activity. On physical examination, we found cyanosis of lips and face, swollen jugular vein, bubble sounds at the lung bottom, irregular heart rhythm, the large liver under the left rib and the lower limbs edema. Laboratory studies revealed white blood cell 18.6 × 10⁹/L and neutrophils 73.9%. Electrocardiogram showed disappearance of P wave and substituted F wave with irregular R-R interval. Ultrasound cardiogram indicated that there was a 24 mm-long gap in the middle of the atrial septal. Dextrocardia, pulmonary artery extrudes and infection of lung were found by chest x-ray. The abdomen ultrasound indicated organ flip. Clinical diagnosis was congenital heart disease, splanchnectopia, atrial septal defect, Eisenmenger's syndrome, atrial flutter, cardiac function class III and pneumonia. The patient left hospital after 2-week treatment. Its clinical significance is when the thoracic and celiac organs are ill, the position of the symptoms and physical signs are contrary to the normal place. Therefore, we should make a careful and systematic examination of the patients in order to avoid misdiagnosis and delay in treatment.

Keywords: Atrial septal defect; Misdiagnosis; Pneumonia; Splanchnectopia.

Figure 1

Electrocardiogram showing atrial flutter.

Figure 2

Ultrasound cardiogram showing the atrial septal defect.