Unexpected diagnosis: large hemangioma in the interatrial septum

Abstract Background Cardiac hemangiomas are very uncommon benign primary tumors. They are usually located preferentially in the right atrium and their location in the interatrial septum is extremely rare. Case presentation We report the case of a 41-year-old patient who was admitted due to a stroke. The transthoracic echocardiogram revealed a large mass in the right atrium adhered to the interatrial septum. Suspecting an atrial myxoma, surgical intervention was performed confirming that the mass extended within the thickness of the interatrial septum, protruding into the right atrial cavity. The histologic report confirmed a hemangioma. Conclusions Cardiac hemangiomas are rare primary tumors and are usually misdiagnosed as other cardiac tumors. Histopathological examination is essential for a definitive diagnosis.