Prominent crista terminalis mimicking a right atrial mass: case report.

ABSTRACT: The crista terminalis is a normal anatomical structure within the right atrium that is not normally visualised in the standard views obtained while performing a transthoracic echocardiogram. In this case report, transthoracic echocardiography suggested the presence of a right atrial mass in a patient with end stage renal disease. However, subsequent transesophageal echocardiography revealed that the right atrial mass was actually a thick muscular bridge in the right atrium consistent with a prominent crista terminalis. An understanding of the anatomy and the echocardiographic appearance of a prominent crista terminalis will minimize the misdiagnosis of this structure avoiding unnecessary expensive additional tests.

SUBMITTER: Salustri A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2984405 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature