Resection of Intrapericardial Lymphangioma Invasive to Ventricular Apex via Left Anterolateral Thoracotomy

Here we describe a case of an intrapericardial mass identified in a patient with endocarditis and severe mitral regurgitation. Despite preoperative imaging suggestive of a pericardial origin, intraoperatively the mass was found to invade the apical ventricular myocardium. The mass was resected on cardiopulmonary bypass, thus resulting in biventricular defects requiring patch reconstruction. The final pathologic examination demonstrated lymphangioma, a rare cardiac tumor that does not typically invade myocardium, as was seen in this case.